House votes to require Trump to ask for war funding

[David Fairchild]

About time Congress grew a spine. Congrats to the four elephants who joinsedthe donkey on this.

But why is this being labeled in the press as merely "symbolic". This requirement is clearly spelled out in the Constitution. Is the Constitution and its direction now considered symbolic rather than binding?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/03/house-of-representatives-iran-war-powers-vote-trump/90393650007/

[Brian Kegerreis]

Well then who decides if something is a war under the US Constitution? 

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[David Fairchild]

I believe that would be Congress, per Article I, Section 8, Clause 11. Do you believe otherwise?

[B Keg]

I completely agree with you, and thus all actions by a President in defense of the nation are by that definition not a war, unkess Congress makes it so.

Be nice, even when you don't want to!

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[David Fairchild]

Yes, and now, fortunately, it appears that Congress is finally showing signs it may fulfill its duty as defined in the War Powers Act to mandate the president to withdraw forces from continued action without Congressional approval.

[Brian Kegerreis]

Or they will give congressional approval which would be best

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[David Fairchild]

Yes, no.

[B Keg]

Or they could approve continued military action without calling it a war which would make it still not a war. 

Be nice, even when you don't want to!

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[kan...@aol.com]

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet

Shakespeare explained centuries ago. 

It's a war. 

Using "because the POTUS did it" as a way to define something makes as much sense as Trump shooting someone on Fifth Ave and not calling it a murder. 

Sadly, Dave, Trump has been working very hard every day to make the USC a less relevant document. This was the topic of a recent article. In fact it suggested that Trump should be the last POTUS and that the US should adopt the parliamentary model used frequently (always?) in Europe. That would place the bulk of gov't power back in Congress where it was designed to be. POTUS was supposed to be an executive; doing what Congress mandated. Sadly, and perhaps inevitably, the position- possessing great influence and power- has attracted many who seek influence and power. George Washington may have been the LAST POTUS to walk away from the job voluntarily. 

  The people that we wish would be President don't want the job. So we end  up with less than the best. Exceptions are few and far between. I really thought that Obama was the most decent of the recently elected. Bush 41 was a good man; but not great at the job. Even Obama, IMO, was the benefit of a strong  move to elect someone who wasn't a white male. Too bad that impulse isn't still strong enough for a repeat. Maybe a FEMALE. Maybe a non-Christian? Lots of good talent out there.  

[David Fairchild]

Good post, Ken. I agree with much of it. While I didn't agree with his vision for the scope of the size of government in the economy, generally, I'd say the last "net good for the country" president we had was probably WJC, and before that maybe RWR in his term 1 and maybe GRF. I'd give BHO a "net neutral" score. I'd give the latest three terms (including the current) decidedly "net negative" scores.

[Brian Kegerreis]

Maybe a female, maybe a non Christian.... what do you think with a watermelon?

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[David Fairchild]

I let Claude do all my thinking...

[kan...@aol.com]

Dave, I think BK was referring to me. But WTF he meant is beyond knowing. Watermelon?