Christopher, Baker: Revise War Powers bill

Published: July 8, 2008 at 2:42 PM
National War Powers Commission news conference in Washington

WASHINGTON, July 8 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Secretaries of State Warren Christopher and James Baker announced a bipartisan plan Tuesday to revise the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

Writing in the New York Times, Christopher and Baker called the 1973 resolution "ineffective at best and unconstitutional at worst." They said that presidents have simply ignored the resolution, which was intended to limit their power to send U.S. troops into battle without consulting Congress.

Baker and Christopher suggested an alternative that would require presidents to consult Congress before committing troops for any combat that would last beyond a week. There would be an exception for emergencies.

Congress would be required to act within 30 days of a presidential request.

Christopher, who served in President Bill Clinton's cabinet, and Baker, who served President George H.W. Bush, headed a study of the long-running tension between Congress and the president over war powers.

The War Powers Resolution was adopted as U.S. involvement in Vietnam drew to a close.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Black Wednesday? Retailers extend deals (8 min)
Study: Oceans' intake of CO2 slowing (11 min)
Conscious man diagnosed in coma for years (12 min)
Sharks' Thornton is top player of the week (18 min)
Police tie S.D. Chargers player to brawl (24 min)
Home sale spike continues (25 min)
Wigan to give refunds after 9-1 loss (33 min)
fark
Doctors say rarely-performed "hemicorporectomy" procedure can add years to life of those who need...
Musicians on the road: the insanity, the groupies, the parmesan-crusted duck breast with balsamic...
Citing huge demand and turnout, NYC health authorities happily confirm .00143% of the city was vaccinated...
Half of drivers age 18-34 admit texting on the road; the other half reponded with ;)
If you're going to hide a sex offender at your home, maybe you shouldn't work for the State Police...
Budget cuts, office closures, and staff reductions may mean that visits to the DMV won't provide...