Congress and the President – Their Tug of “War” LE3-C2S3T6pg37-41 Congress and the President – Their Tug of “War”

This lesson discusses the conflicting powers between the President and Congress in deciding military action.

Lesson Objectives Explain the rationale underlying the founding fathers’ desire to ensure the power to declare war rested in the hands of the Congress. Cite at least one example of a President asking Congress to declare war. Explain the purpose of the War Powers Act and the events that led to its passage by Congress. Example:

Lesson Objectives Explain the conditions of the War Powers Act that the President is required to meet whenever he introduces forces abroad into hostile situations. Cite at least two examples of situations during the 1980s in which the President used U.S. forces without a declaration of war by Congress. Example:

CPS Key Word Questions (1-3) Key Words CPS Key Word Questions (1-3) Example:

Key Words _________ - an action that achieves a particular purpose, but may not be morally right. __________ - to agree to do what someone wants or to accept what they do. __________ - doing what you are required or expected to do, for example, with a law, treaty, or agreement. Expedient Acquiesced Compliance Example:

CPS Lesson Questions (1-2) Warm Up Questions CPS Lesson Questions (1-2) Example:

Warm Up Question Who do you think should have the authority to send U.S. troops in to a foreign country for combat? The president alone The congress alone The president and congress in agreement Example:

Warm Up Question True or False: The Constitution does not clearly grant Congress to declare war. True False Example:

(Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question) Opening Question Think about what you already know about wars the U.S. has been involved in. List 2-3 things you know about these wars. (Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question)

Introduction The Constitution clearly grants ________ the power to declare war in Article I Section 8. Congress However, in Article II Section 2, the Constitution also clearly states that the President is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Example:

A Historical Perspective The question of the need for a declaration of war dates all the way back to the presidency of Thomas Jefferson and the war with Tripoli (1801-1805). Congress authorized Jefferson’s acts without declaring war on the Pasha. Presidents started to undertake military action without congressional approval soon after the American Revolution. Example:

Use of Presidential Powers From 1950 to 1953, U.S. forces were committed to war against communist North Korea, without a formal declaration by Congress. During the Cold War (1945-1991), Congress acquiesced to the President. In Vietnam, the Gulf of Tonkin resolution stated that Congress approved and supported the determination of the President, as Commander in Chief, to take all necessary measures to repel any armed attack against the forces of the United States and to prevent further aggression. Example:

Lesson Question CPS Lesson Question (3) Example:

Lesson Question When were U.S. forces committed to war against communist North Korea? 1940-1943 1960-1963 1950-1953 1970-1973 Example:

The War Powers Resolution The Wars Powers Resolution was passed in 1973, following eight years of the war in Southeast Asia. The War Powers Act granted the President the right to send forces overseas for ___ days without any sort of congressional authorization. The purpose of the War Powers Resolution is to ensure that Congress and the President share in making military decisions. 60 Example:

Events of the 1980s The War Powers Act has given the President much leeway in placing the military in conflict. The 1980s saw numerous instances of Presidential use of U.S. military forces without a declaration of war by Congress. Despite the requirement for shared decision-making powers in the War Powers Act, Congressional war- making authority and oversight has decreased considerably. Example:

An Effort to Repeal the War Powers Act There have been proposals to strengthen, change, or repeal the resolution. It is unlikely that the War Powers Act repeal effort will have enough support to move from committee to the floor of the House for a vote by the full membership. Example:

Lesson Question CPS Lesson Question (4) Example:

Lesson Question The Wars Powers Resolution was passed in what year? 1973 1974 1975 1976 Example:

(Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question) Closing Question List the 2-3 most important things you learned in this lesson. Why are they important to you? (Use CPS “Pick a Student” for this question)

Questions

Copyright Information Images in this lesson were taken from: Microsoft© Clip Art Gallery Marine Corps Combat Camera MCJROTC Student Text