Letter: Force resolution doesn’t constitute war declaration

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002 | 9:09 a.m.

The president's defenders might insist that the "use of force" resolution is, essentially, a declaration of war. However, Congress declined an opportunity to declare war against Iraq.

During a hearing in the House International Relations Committee, recalled Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, "I attempted to force the committee to follow the Constitution and vote to declare war against Iraq." Not a single member of the committee voted in favor of the proposed resolution -- including Paul, who proposed it as a way of calling his colleagues' bluff.

"Congress would rather give up its most important authorized power to the president and the U.N. than risk losing an election if the war goes badly," observed Paul. Of the "use of force" resolution written with White House approval, Paul comments, "It's astonishing that the authorization passed by the committee mentions the United Nations dozens of times, yet does not mention the Constitution once. ... By transferring its authority to declare war to the president and ultimately to the U.N., Congress not only violates the Constitution, but also disenfranchises the American electorate." It also offers an equivocal message to the servicemen we would send into harm's way.

Following the president like sheep, the Nevada delegation voted in favor of the "use of force" resolution.

KENNETH HOVEY

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