[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 24, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 PRESIDENT HAS NO AUTHORITY TO WAGE WAR WITHOUT CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL

  (Mr. PAUL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, the threats of bombing did not bring a peace 
agreement to Kosovo. The President has no authority to wage war, and 
yet Congress says nothing.
  When will Congress assume its war power authority to rein in the 
President? An endless military occupation of Bosnia is ignored by 
Congress, and the spending rolls on, and yet there is no lasting peace.
  For 9 years, bombing Iraq and killing innocent Iraqi children with 
sanctions has done nothing to restore stability to Iraq, but it has 
served to instill an ever-growing hatred toward America. It is now 
clear that the threats of massive bombing of Serbia have not brought 
peace to Kosovo.
  Congress must assume its responsibility. It must be made clear that 
the President has no funds available to wage war without congressional 
approval. This is our prerogative. Therefore, the endless threats of 
bombing should cease. Congress should not remain timid.
  Merely telling the President to reconsider his actions will have 
little effect. We must be firm and deny the funds to wage war without 
our consent. We live in a republic, not a monarchy.

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