Friday, May 20, 2011

Some Republican Senators are now calling on President Obama to address Congress about the current mission in Libya as it approaches the 60 day period. Republicans such as Sen. Rand Paul, Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Tom Coburn and several others believe President Obama should abide by the War Powers Act. They say he has already violated the law but not informing Congress about the current operations in Libya. The War Powers Act would prevent U.S. forces for continuing military operations in Libya without the approval of Congress. Sen. Rand Paul is even threatening to take this before the U.S. Supreme Court if Obama does not bring this before Congress. Paul believes that it is crucial that executive power to launch military operations be restrained by Congress to prevent the President from having to much power. Fortunately not all Republicans agree. Sen. John McCain a very vocal advocate of U.S. and NATO military operations against Muammar Gaddafi's forces. McCain has been attempting to create a bipartisan resolution to support the Libyan rebels. McCain believes that War Powers Act is unconstitutional and therefore does not need to be followed. He also stated that there has not been any President, Republican or Democrat, that has recognized the law's constitutionality. I agree with Sen. McCain. The Wars Powers Act has never really been a practiced law by any President. American and NATO involvement in general has been small and inconsistent with bombing raids against Gadaffi's installations and heavy weaponry. American involvement is so minimal that U.S. forces are not any high risk. I believe Sen. Rand Paul and the six other Republican Senators demanding the War Powers Act be enacted are doing this for partisan reasons more than the actual belief that the President should submit himself before Congress to continue military operations.