The Constitution, Essay Example

The Constitution has provided a blueprint, and an outline on the rights that the federal government, and more importantly the president has. In times of war, the Constitution remains clear that the President acts as commander in chief, and has the power to deploy troops, and give directions to the military.  The rights of Congress, is to be able to declare war, and be able to end the war by using power of appropriations to cut funding. When 9/11 happened, President Bush jumped at the opportunity to deploy troops in Iraq, and effectively declare war without the approval of Congress. On the opposite end, President Obama, pursued a phased redeployment of troops in Iraq, to end the war. In previous military interventions, the president has outlaid that he did not have to seek prior congressional approval because, he is doing his duty to his presidential powers. The powers of the Congress are to declare war, but the President has the power to wage wars, as he can deploy military troops to authorize hostilities that appear to be an imminent threat to the nation.

The purpose of the War Powers Resolution was intended to check the powers of the president, that he must seek approval by Congress to engage in armed conflicts. The president has to notify Congress within 48 hours, and armed forces cannot remained there for over 60 days, without the declaration of war. This was considered under a joint resolution that overrode the presidential veto, however, presidents have consistently the terms of the resolution. This is seen when President Clinton sent to troops to Kosovo, and President Reagan sending troops to keep the peace in Lebanon. The powers of the President are to repel attacks, and to respond to imminent dangers to the United States. In the effort to restore stability, Congress and the Presidents for the future need to come to resolution that realizes, that Presidents would need to act rapidly in events where they can get out of hand, and become a threat to the United States.