Specter Asks Leahy To Hold Hearings RE Restricting President's War Powers

[cali]

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A Republican leader wants the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee to examine the constitutional authority of Congress to restrict the president's war powers.

Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Penn., the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, wrote a letter Tuesday to Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Ver., to request that the committee hold additional hearings into the ability of Congress to restrict the president's actions in the midst of a war.

"The question remains as to where the president's authority to conduct an already engaged war ends, and Congress' supervisory authority begins," Specter wrote.

The seven-page letter questions whether the ability of Congress to limit the president's wartime policy lays only in its power to appropriate money or if its constitutional authority is much broader, extending to, for example, the deployment of troops.

"The Congress cannot be pushed to the sidelines as the president commits more troops and ever-increasing funds to an engagement that commands uncertain support. We have an obligation to determine how, within appropriate constitutional constraints, we may engage the president and ensure that the will of the American people regarding this conflict is heard," Specter said.

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http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20070220-022901-1287r

I'm sure Leahy will oblige Senator Specter. This will be very interesting.

[BuyingThyme]

1. Don't let this fucking murderous bag of crap continue to frame

the debate.

[MissWaverly]

3. Congress said no to bombing Cambodia in Vietnam War

Congress can provide oversight and since this is the War made by Mistake, we had the
wrong intelligence, Congress has every right to provide oversight, I can see Specter
framing it to say that Congress does not have the authority to intervene.

[senseandsensibility]

2. Our side is letting Specter

steal this issue? Then they will deserve what they get.:-( How disappointing.

[cali]

7. Are you nuts/

This isn't some little game. The more republicans who recognize the threat that bush poses, the better. This is good news, and hardly indicative of anyone "stealing" an issue. Your post is what's disappointing.

[senseandsensibility]

10. I might not like it

but there is such a thing aa public relations and political strategy. We ignore that at our peril if we want to win in 2008 and beyond. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting the Dems to get out in front of this issue, or in being disappointed when they don't. You, of course, are entitled to your opinion, but I would think you would recognize this. As to your point about the more republiks recognize this the better, fine. But if we let them lead on this issue it will be a grave mistake. In addition, they will mess it up just as they mess everything up. As you can see, I have disagreed with you without resorting to name calling. You might want to try it sometime.

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

4. No need to watch the weather channel...Specter always reveals wind direction

Hey Arlen: Why weren't you asking the questions when YOU headed the committee? Oh, but now that the Democrats kicked butt in November and public opinion has obviously made a left turn, you all of a sudden jump on the bandwagon. :puke:

Sorry, Arlen, but you are my Senator and you failed to ask the questions when you had the chance. Hope you don't run for reelection.

[The Stranger]

5. What in the fuck are they waiting for?

[Horse with no Name]

6. Obvious question is why HE didn't do it

<<<<crickets chirping>>>>

[AndyA]

8. Would this be the same Arlen Specter that allowed Alberto Gonzalez to testify

without being put under oath?

The same Arlen Specter who time and again has grandstanded then changed course later?

The man is a snake. As another poster put it, the Dems need to quit allowing the Republicans to call the shots. They had their chance and they screwed it up, now get the hell out of the way and let someone else do something for a change!

[cali]

9. Yes, Specter's a weasel, but the dems in the Senate

need Republicans on their side. As for the suggestion that the dems haven't been doing their job, no one in the Senate has taken advantage of being in the majority more than Senator Leahy.