R Street Institute’s Anthony Marcum Applauds Congress’ Vote on War Powers Resolution
WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2020) – The R Street Institute’s Resident Fellow of Governance Anthony Marcum applauded today’s vote by the U.S. House of Representatives to reclaim its Constitutional prerogative to limit the president’s ability to engage in conflict with Iran under the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
Marcum said, “It is indisputable that Congress has a constitutional voice in foreign affairs and has a right to use every tool, including the War Powers Resolution, to ensure its voice is heard.”
He went on to say, “Congress originally passed the War Powers Resolution—over a president’s veto—to reclaim its constitutional role in war-making. But ever since its enactment in 1973, presidents across administrations have ignored or chipped away at many of the law’s requirements, and have dared Congress to intervene.”
Marcum concluded, “If Congress believes current law prevents it from effectively debating military action overseas, it should look toward reform. The alternative is to abandon its given constitutional role.”