Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Rubio and Paul: Different Views on War Powers

A Senate hearing Wednesday on President Obama's request for Congress to authorize military force against the Islamic State could spotlight an emerging foreign policy debate between two potential Republican presidential rivals.
Sens. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and Rand Paul, R-Ky., both serve on the Foreign Relations Committee, which has set the hearing to question top administration officials about the president's request. Secretary of State John Kerry, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are scheduled to testify.
Rubio has called on Congress to pass an authorization with no geographic limits on where the president can battle Islamic State fighters and no time limits on how long Obama and future presidents can use military force against them. Paul has advocated limits on the duration of fighting, the geography of the battle and the use of ground troops. Their foreign policy differences are likely to help shape a GOP presidential campaign that both senators seem poised to enter.
Paul has expressed concern about giving any president such broad power.
Paul introduced a joint resolution last December to declare war against the Islamic State. Paul's resolution would have put limits on the fighting — ending U.S. military action after one year and greatly restricting the use of ground troops. Congress did not vote on the bill.
"I believe the president must come to Congress to begin a war and that Congress has a duty to act," Paul said in a statement explaining his resolution. "Right now, this war is illegal until Congress acts pursuant to the Constitution and authorizes it." Rubio has said the president's request for Congress to act was "good news" but not necessary legally.
The contrast between Rubio and Paul on the use of military force reflects a broader division in their ideology, political analysts say.
Read the rest of the story HERE.

If you like what you see, please "Like" us on Facebook either here or here. Please follow us on Twitter here.


No comments: