[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 46 (Friday, March 10, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRESS HAS THE SOLE AUTHORITY TO AUTHORIZE MILITARY INVOLVEMENTS

  (Ms. HOYLE of Oregon asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, the American people are fed up with 
the United States being involved in endless military conflicts around 
the world.
  For far too long, Presidents of both parties have overstepped their 
constitutional authority by engaging in dubious legal gymnastics to 
continue involving U.S. troops in endless wars and conflicts without 
congressional authorization.
  Article I of the Constitution is clear. Congress has the sole 
authority to authorize military involvements in overseas conflict. Once 
authorized by Congress, Article II of the Constitution allows the 
President to direct the military as Commander in Chief.
  Congress must reassert its sole authority and not allow the executive 
branch to sidestep us.
  As the largest and most diverse group in the Federal Government 
responsible for representing the American people and their interests, 
Congress should engage in debate before the executive branch can 
involve U.S. troops in wars overseas.
  Tens of thousands of U.S. troops have been put in harm's way and 
trillions of taxpayer dollars have been spent on overseas military 
ventures around the world without proper debate or oversight from 
Congress.
  Enough is enough. That is why I support the Syria War Powers 
Resolution that the House voted on earlier this week.

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