12
Module 12 Discussion
Instructions
For this discussion, you will read the documents and/or watch the videos, and then you will do an initial post of 200 words about your thoughts and opinions answering the questions below. Additionally, you will be required to respond to two of your classmates’ answers with responses of at least 50 words each. You will not be able to see other people’s responses until you post your own. It is encouraged to express your opinion, but remember, this is a public forum. It is fine to disagree with your classmates, but it is not ok to be disrespectful. Maintain a level of professionalism in this discussion. Finally, liking is enabled, so you can like each other’s posts if you agree with something that someone else said.
• All posts and responses are due by Sunday at 11:59pm.
• Canvas Help Guides:
◦ How do I reply to a Discussion? (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Student-Guide/How-do-I-reply-to-a-discussion-as-a-student/ta-p/334)
Discuss:
The War Powers Act of 1973 was passed at the tail end of the Vietnam War as a means of limiting presidential power related to war. The act required the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of using U.S. forces in any conflict. It also required the president to seek congressional authorization within 60 days for troops to remain engaged. However, since 1973, the act has been seen as a massive expansion of the president’s war powers because it grants the president power to commit troops with few restraints, and Congress has, on multiple occasions, failed to check presidential use of war powers. Additionally, the last time Congress declared war was 1941, meaning that all U.S. conflicts since have been fought with Congressional authorization outside of its power to declare war.
In your opinion, have presidential war powers expanded too much? Has Congress abdicated its responsibility to check presidential power when it comes to the military? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples of presidential use of military power in your response.
Additional Resources:
• S. 440 – War Powers Act (https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/senate-bill/440)
• What Is The War Powers Act? (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnNUzetQD2M)
– Video
•
When the US Military Strikes, White House Points to a 2001 Measure (https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/09/06/492857888/when-the-u-s-military-strikes-white-house-points-to-a-2001-measure)
•
2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force: A Comprehensive Look (https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/papers/2021/2001AUMF)
