Congress & U.S. Foreign Foreign (II)

The War Powers Act Increasing Congressional Assertiveness –Gulf of Tonkin Resolution based on incorrect info –1969, Nat’l Commitments Resolution President consulting Congress prior to armed involvement overseas –1971, repeal of the Tonkin Resolution –1970, The Cooper-Church Amendment (Supplementary Foreign Assistance Act) Limiting air operations

The War Powers Act (WPA) WPA = no more blank check Requires President to: –In every possible instance, consult Congress before involving forces into hostilities or situations of imminent hostilities –To inform Congress within 48 hours regarding troop deployment in 3 types of situations when: troops sent zones of hostilities troops sent to a region of imminent hostilities combat-ready troops sent in a foreign country

The War Powers Act (WPA) WPA = no more blank check Requires President to: –In every possible instance, consult Congress before involving forces into hostilities or situations of imminent hostilities –To inform Congress within 48 hours regarding troop deployment in 3 types of situations when: troops sent zones of hostilities or regions of imminent hostilities Combat-ready troops sent to a foreign country

The War Powers Act (WPA) Requires President to: –To inform Congress within 48 hours regarding troop deployment in 3 types of situations when: Deployed troops substantially enlarge the existing combat-ready troops in a foreign country –60-day clock ticking if situation one “hostilities” being the key word Congressional approval required to extend the 60-day stay Concurrent resolution

The War Powers Act (WPA) Requires President to: 30-day extension –Congress allow 30 days for safe exit of forces Concurrent resolution –Simple majority vote in both houses to force withdrawal of forces from a region at any time without President’s signature or veto –Invalidated by Supreme Court, 1983