With calls growing for the United States government to deploy military resources into Ukraine’s effort to repel invaders from an increasingly unstable Russia, conservatives in Congress now seek to restore Congress’ sole constitutional authority to declare war.
U.S. Representatives Chip Roy (R-TX-21) and Warren Davidson (R-OH-8) and U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), joined by 14 of their colleagues, introduced legislation “to make it clear that NATO cannot override Congress’ constitutional responsibilities to declare war,” Roy’s office announces.
“Decisions of war and peace, of life and death, are among the most serious any government makes,” said Roy. “The framers of our Constitution knew that, and they prudently vested the power to declare war in the legislative branch — the branch of government most accountable to the American people.”
“As war rages on in Europe, I am proud to partner with my friend Dr. Rand Paul and Rep. Warren Davidson to reaffirm the importance of the fact that Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty doesn’t supersede the Constitution,” Roy added.
“No one has the power to declare war without Congress’ deliberation and our constituents’ consent; it’s high time this body conducted itself accordingly,” Roy concluded.
“Perhaps the most important question a member of Congress will ever face is whether to commit our nation’s young men and women to war. We cannot delegate that responsibility to the president, the courts, an international body, or our allies,” said Paul.
“Article 5 of the NATO treaty does not supersede the constitutional obligation that only Congress can declare war,” Paul noted.
“For decades, Presidential Administrations have misconstrued laws and treaties to engage in endless wars by circumventing Congress’ role in declaring war,” said Davidson.
“Only Congress can Constitutionally authorize the use of military force, and Article 5 of NATO does not supersede the Constitution,” Davidson added.
According to Roy’s statement the resolution “reaffirms that pursuant to Article 11 of the North Atlantic Treaty, military action taken in regard to Article 5 does not supersede Congress’ role in the Constitution.”
The resolution states:
“It is the sense of the House of Representatives that, pursuant to Article 11 of the North Atlantic Treaty, done at Washington, District of Columbia, on April 4, 1949, if the President determines it is necessary to engage United States forces in hostilities in order to restore or maintain the security of the North Atlantic area as stated in Article 5 of such treaty, such action does not supersede the constitutional requirement that Congress declare war or authorize the use of military force prior to the United States engaging in hostilities.”
Co-sponsors in the House include Representatives Dan Bishop (R-NC-8), Troy Nehls (R-TX-22), Harriet Hageman (R-1-WY), Paul Gosar (R-AZ-9), Andy Biggs (R-AZ-5), Andrew Clyde (R-GA-9), Matt Rosendale (R-MT-2), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA-14), Rep. Bob Good (R-VA-5) and Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX-14).
Co-sponsors in the Senate include Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Mike Braun (R-IN) and Cynthia Lummis (R-WY).
The legislation has been also endorsed by Quincy Institute, Heritage Action, Frontiers of Freedom, Concerned Veterans for America, Citizens for Renewing America, and FreedomWorks.
