(April 5, 2019) — A bipartisan group of
lawmakers from both the Senate and the House have issued a letter to President
Trump urging him not to veto the SJ Res 7
War Powers Act challenge to the Yemen War. The resolution passed the Senate
last month, and the House on Thursday.
The War Powers Act requires the president to get the approval of Congress for
any overseas military conflicts, and allows Congress to demand a withdrawal
form those nations if the operation is unauthorized. The Yemen War was never
authorized by Congress.
President Trump has threatened to veto the resolution, and the letter urges him
not to, arguing that he has an historic opportunity to set a precedent for
cooperation with Congress by complying with the law and ending an
unconstitutional war that was launched under President Obama.
Though the constitution gives Congress exclusive war-making powers, Trump’s
aides have argued that as commander in chief Congress shouldn’t question his
operations. Since the War Powers Act is meant to codify Congress’ already
constitutional powers, it is somewhat strange to think it can be vetoed anyhow
President Trump is known to change his mind. Let’s help change it: Invest a phone call for peace, call the White House and tell President Trump to sign SJRes7.
ACTION: Call 202-456-1111: The comment line is staffed from 9am to 4pm Eastern time Monday through Friday. Be ready to talk.
Or fill out the comment form: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ But phone calls are more effective.
Lawmakers Press Trump Not to Veto Yemen War Cut-off Measure
Lauren Meier / The Washington Times
WASHINGTON (April 5, 2019) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling on President Trump not to veto the recently passed legislation that demands an end to the U.S. military support role in Yemen’s ongoing civil war.
On Thursday, the House Democratic majority, joined by 16 Republicans, defied Mr. Trump and passed the legislation in what backers said was a belated effort to assert Congress’s role in deciding where and when American forces are committed to battle.
Drafted by California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, and signed by Republicans such as Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky Republican and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, the letter requests a meeting with Mr. Trump “to discuss this legislation and the promising opportunities that can emerge from its passage.”
“We believe that by signing this historic legislation to terminate an unconstitutional war that predates your presidency, you will set a new precedent for cooperation with both chambers of Congress to overcome such entrenched opposition to foreign-policy restraint,” the lawmakers wrote.
White House aides have called the resolution “erroneous” and maintained that the president will veto the resolution, which directs the president to remove U.S. forces from “hostilities” in Yemen, other than operations targeting remaining al Qaeda units there.
The United Nations and humanitarian groups say the Yemeni civil war has sparked one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, including a new surge in cholera cases in recent weeks.
Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.
