Call for impeachment of Obama for launching unauthorized war against Libya.
World news Monday, March 21st, 2011US president Barack Obama failed to consult the United States Congress to authorize the use of force in Libya. House Democrats are questioning the constitutionality of U.S. missile strikes against Libya, with one lawmaker raising the prospect of impeachment during a Democratic Caucus conference call on Saturday.
U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) issued the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s decision to begin military action in Libya without securing Congressional authority.
“I am concerned by President Obama’s decision to commit U.S. forces in Libya without involving Congress. This action may require substantial U.S. resources. While there is no question that Gaddafi’s regime is brutalizing the people of Libya, launching military action against another nation requires Congress be fully informed so we can exercise our Constitutional authority.
“I therefore call on Speaker Boehner to call an emergency session, returning Members to Washington, so the President may address a joint session of Congress and be given the opportunity to make the case for war.”
Article One of the United States Constitution describes the powers of Congress, the legislative branch of the federal government. Section Eight gives to the Congress the power to declare war. US president Obama failed to get the consent of Congress to wage war against Libya. Obama usurped United States law by not asking for nor receiving from Congress neither a declaration of war nor authorization for the use of force against Libya. The president of the United States cannot declare war, only Congress can. That being said, the current Libyan military action is illegal.
Democrats Jerrold Nadler (NY), Maxine Waters (CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX), Dennis Kucinich (OH), and Barbara Lee (CA) took part in a conference call on Saturday in which they voiced strenuous objections to Obama’s latest constitutional override in ordering missile strikes against Libya without congressional authorization.
The organizer of the conference call was Rep. John Larson (CT), fourth-highest ranking Democrat, who stated:
“They consulted the Arab League. They consulted the United Nations. They did not consult the United States Congress. They’re creating wreckage, and they can’t obviate that by saying there are no boots on the ground … [when] there are Tomahawks in the air.”
The greatest irony in all of this is the opinion voiced by Barack Obama himself. In an interview with The Boston Globe on December 20, 2007 Obama stated:
“The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.
As Commander-in-Chief, the President does have a duty to protect and defend the United States. In instances of self-defense, the President would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action.“
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