Obama claims 2001 AUMF and 2002 Iraq War Resolution authorize Syrian airstrikes

[morningfog]

U.S. President Barack Obama is using the legal grounding of the congressional authorizations President George W. Bush relied on more than a decade ago to go to war as he readies intensified airstrikes in Iraq and Syria. But Obama has made no effort to ask Congress to explicitly authorize his own conflict.

The White House says Bush-era congressional authorizations for the war on al-Qaeda and the Iraq invasion give Obama authority to act without new approval by Congress under the 1973 War Powers Act.

* * *

White House spokesman Josh Earnest on Thursday cited the 2001 military authorization Congress gave Bush to attack any countries, groups or people who planned, authorized, committed or aided the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Earnest described the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, generally known as the AUMF, as one that Obama "believes continues to apply to this terrorist organization that is operating in Iraq and Syria."

* * *

The White House also finds authorization under the 2002 resolution that approved the invasion of Iraq to identify and destroy weapons of mass destruction. That resolution also cited the threat from al-Qaeda, which Congress said then was operating inside Iraq. But the U.S. later concluded there were no ties between al-Qaeda and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein or his government, and the group formally known as al-Qaeda in Iraq -- which later evolved into the Islamic State group -- didn't form until 2004, after the U.S.-led invasion.

Obama is using both authorizations as authority to act even though he publicly sought their repeal last year. In a key national security address at the National Defence University in May 2013, Obama said he wanted to scrap the 2001 order because "we may be drawn into more wars we don't need to fight." Two months later, Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, asked House Speaker John Boehner to consider repealing the 2002 Iraq resolution, calling the document "outdated."

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/white-house-confident-in-legal-basis-for-expanded-fight-against-islamic-state-without-congress-1.2004451#ixzz3D8FPfweA

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

1. And, our brave congress cheers because when the latest war fails they can say, "Not me!"

And, they wonder why the people don't bother to vote.

[morningfog]

2. All branches and parties have embraced war by a unitary executive.

[Sopkoviak]

3. Like immigration action, just giving certain politicans

Cover in sensitive districts.

Do we really want to see a rethug House and Senate?

[morningfog]

4. I agree with former Obama that both should be repealed and there should

be a war vote in Congress.

It is hypocritical, at best.

[morningfog]

5. kick

[jwirr]

6. I understood it was never repealed.

[morningfog]

7. Obama wanted it repealed, but now can't help himself from using it.

13 years later against different people.

[Sopkoviak]

8. He was against the AUMF

Before he was for it.

[GeorgeGist]

9. To the gates of hell.

[liberal_at_heart]

10. absolute power corrupts absolutely.