America goes to war, but Congress is AWOL
The US Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war, but decades of precedent and the executive branch's interpretation of the law have effectively given the president the authority to send US military assets into conflicts without congressional approval. Lawmakers often tacitly approve the president's decisions, fearing being on the wrong side of a war-related vote.
The US Constitution vests the power to declare war in Congress, but this authority has been eroded over time. The executive branch has twisted the law to allow the president to send US military assets into conflicts without congressional approval. Decades of precedent have established the president as the de facto decision-maker on war, with lawmakers often reflexively approving or remaining silent. The Constitution's framers, including James Madison, intended for Congress to check the president's war powers. However, this check has been ineffective, with lawmakers fearing being on the wrong side of a war-related vote. Senators like Rand Paul and Tim Kaine have raised concerns about the Constitution, but they are in the minority.
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