[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 3, Chapters 10 - 14]
[Chapter 13. Powers and Prerogatives of the House]
[B. War Powers]
[§ 11. Receipt of Presidential Messages]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
[Page 1830-1836]
CHAPTER 13
Powers and Prerogatives of the House
B. WAR POWERS
Sec. 11. Receipt of Presidential Messages
The precedents in this section are limited exclusively to written
or oral statements officially received by Congress. Presidential
statements made to the public at large through the media are not
included. -------------------
Request for Declaration of War on Japan
Sec. 11.1 The President addressed a joint session of Congress to
announce the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and request a
declaration of war.
On Dec. 8, 1941,(10) President Franklin D. Roosevelt
addressed a joint session of Congress to announce the Japanese attack
on Pearl Harbor and request a declaration of war.(11)
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10. 87 Cong. Rec. 9519, 9520, 77th Cong. 1st Sess. The message was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
11. See Sec. 6.1, supra (House declaration), and Sec. 7.1, supra (
Senate declaration).
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Address by the President (H. Doc. No. 453)
The address delivered by the President of the United States to
the joint meeting of the two Houses of Congress held this day is as
follows:
To the Congress of the United States:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in
infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and
deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of
Japan. . . .
I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the
people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to
the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of
treachery shall never endanger us again.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that
our people, our
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territory, and our interests are in grave danger. . . .
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked
and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, a state of
war has existed between the United States and the Japanese
Empire.
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
The White House,
December 8, 1941.
Request for Declaration of War on Germany and Italy
Sec. 11.2 The House received a written message from the President
announcing that Italy and Germany had declared war on the United
States, and requesting the Congress to recognize a state of war
between the United States and Germany and the United States and
Italy.
On Dec. 11, l941, (12) the House received a message, as
follows, from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.(13)
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12. 87 Cong. Rec. 9665, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
13. See Sec. Sec. 6.2, 6.3, supra (House action), and Sec. Sec. 7.2,
7.3, supra (Senate action), for declarations of war on Germany
and Italy.
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Declaration of War by Germany and Italy Against United States (H.
Doc. No. 454)
The Speaker (14) laid before the House the following
message from the President of the United States, which was read:
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14. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
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To the Congress of the United States:
On the morning of December 11, the Government of Germany,
pursuing its course of world conquest, declared war against the
United States.
The long known and the long expected has thus taken place.
. . .
Italy also has declared war against the United States.
I, therefore, request the Congress to recognize a state of
war between the United States and Germany, and between the
United States and Italy.
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
The White House,
December 11, 1941.
Mr. [John W.] McCormack [of Massachusetts]: Mr. Speaker, I move
that the message of the President be referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and ordered printed.
The motion was agreed to.
Request for Declaration of War on Bulgaria, Hungary, and Rumania
Sec. 11.3 The House received a written message from the President
announcing that the Governments of Bulgaria, Hungary, and Rumania
had declared war on the United States and requesting that Congress
recognize a state of war between the United States and these
nations.
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On June 2, 1942, (15) the House received a message, as
follows, from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. (16)
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15. 88 Cong. Rec. 4787, 77th Cong. 2nd Sess. The message was referred
to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
16. See Sec. Sec. 6.4-6.6, supra (House action), and Sec. Sec. 7.4-7.6,
supra (Senate action), for declarations of war on Bulgaria,
Hungary, and Rumania.
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Message From the President of the United States (H. Doc. No.
761)
The Speaker (17) laid before the House the following
message from the President of the United States, which was read,
and, with the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed:
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17. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
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To the Congress of the United States:
The Governments of Bulgaria, Hungary, and Rumania have
declared war against the United States. . . .
Therefore I recommend that the Congress recognize a state
of war between the United States and Bulgaria, between the
United States and Hungary, and between the United States and
Rumania.
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
The White House,
June 2, 1942.
Request for Authority to Protect Middle Eastern Nations
Sec. 11.4 The President personally addressed a joint session of
Congress to request authorization to cooperate with and assist any
Middle Eastern nation or group of nations in the development of
economic strength, undertake military assistance, and employ
American Armed Forces to secure and protect the territorial
integrity and political independence of nations which request aid
against armed aggression from any nation controlled by communism.
On Jan. 5, 1957,(18) President Dwight D. Eisenhower
addressed a joint session of the House and Senate to request
authorization to deal with aggression in the Middle
East.(19)
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18. 103 Cong. Rec. 224-27, 85th Cong. 1st Sess. The message was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
19. See Sec. Sec. 8.5, 8.6, supra, for House and Senate approval of the
requested resolution, respectively.
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The President: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, and Members of
Congress, first may I express to you my deep appreciation of your
courtesy. . . .
The action which I propose would have the following features:
It would, first of all, authorize the United States to
cooperate with and assist any nation or group of nations in the
general area of the Middle East in the development of economic
strength dedicated to the maintenance of national independence.
It would, in the second place, authorize the Executive to
undertake in the
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same region programs of military assistance and cooperation with
any nation or group of nations which desires such aid.
It would, in the third place, authorize such assistance and
cooperation to include the employment of the armed forces of the
United States to secure and protect the territorial integrity and
political independence of such nations requesting such aid, against
overt armed aggression from any nation controlled by international
communism.
These measures would have to be consonant with the treaty
obligations of the United States, including the Charter of the
United Nations and with any action or recommendations of the United
Nations. They would also, if armed attack occurs, be subject to the
overriding authority of the United Nations Security Council in
accordance with the charter.
The present proposal would, in the fourth place, authorize the
President to employ, for economic and defensive military purposes,
sums available under the Mutual Security Act of 1954, as amended,
without regard to existing limitations.
Request for Authority to Protect the Pescadores and Formosa
Sec. 11.5 The House received a message from the President announcing
military activities by the People's Republic of China against
Formosa and the Pescadores and requesting a congressional
resolution to authorize a Presidential response.
On Jan. 24, 1955,(1) the House received a written
message, as follows, from President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
(2)
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1. 101 Cong. Rec. 625, 626, 84th Cong. 1st Sess.
2. See Sec. Sec. 8.3, 8.4, supra, for approval of the requested
resolution by the House and Senate, respectively.
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The Speaker (3) laid before the House the following
message from the President of the United States, which was read,
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and ordered to be
printed:
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3. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
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To the Congress of the United States:
The most important objective of our Nation's foreign policy
is to safeguard the security of the United States by
establishing and preserving a just and honorable peace. In the
Western Pacific, a situation is developing in the Formosa
Straits that seriously imperils the peace and our security.
Since the end of Japanese hostilities in 1945, Formosa and
the Pescadores have been in the friendly hands of our loyal
ally, the Republic of China. We have recognized that it was
important that these islands should remain in friendly hands. .
. .
What we are now seeking is primarily to clarify present
policy and to unite in its application. . . .
For the reasons outlined in this message, I respectfully
request that the Congress take appropriate action to carry out
the recommendations contained herein.
Dwight D. Eisenhower,
The White House,
January 24, 1955.
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Request for Neutrality Legislation
Sec. 11.6 The President addressed a joint session of the House and
Senate to explain that he had convened an extraordinary session to
permit Congress to act on neutrality legislation.
On Sept. 21, 1939,(4) the President addressed a joint
session of the House and Senate to explain that he had convened an
extraordinary session to permit Congress to act on neutrality
legislation. He specifically asked Congress to repeal embargo
provisions, restrict American ships from entering war zones, prevent
Americans from traveling on belligerent vessels or in danger areas, and
require a foreign buyer to take transfer of title in the United States
to commodities purchased by belligerents. He also requested that
Congress prohibit war credits to belligerents, regulate collection of
funds in the United States, and maintain a license system for import
and export of arms, ammunition, and implements of war.(5)
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4. 85 Cong. Rec. 9-12, 76th Cong. 2d Sess.
5. See Sec. 9.1, supra, and Sec. 12.3, infra, for the congressional
response to this address (the Neutrality Act of 1939), and the
President's proclamation convening a special congressional
session, respectively.
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Announcement of Exchange of Destroyers for Bases
Sec. 11.7 The House received a written message from the President
announcing that the United States had acquired from Great Britain
the right to lease naval and air bases in Newfoundland, Bermuda,
certain Caribbean Islands, and British Guiana. Notes between the
British Ambassador outlining the terms of the lease and the
American Secretary of State accepting the terms and announcing
transfer of Navy destroyers were also received.
On Sept. 3, 1940,(6) the House received a message from
the President announcing that the United States had acquired from Great
Britain the right to lease naval and air bases.
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6. 86 Cong. Rec. 11354, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.
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The Speaker (7) laid before the House the following
message from the President of the United States, which was read,
and, with the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee of the
Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed, as
follows:
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7. William B. Bankhead (Ala.).
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To the Congress of the United States:
I transmit herewith for the information of the Congress,
notes ex
[[Page 1835]]
changed between the British Ambassador at Washington and the
Secretary of State on September 2, 1940, under which this
Government has acquired the right to lease naval and air bases
in Newfoundland, and in the islands of Bermuda, the Bahamas,
Jamaica, Santa Lucia, Trinidad, and Antigua, and in British
Guiana; also a copy of an opinion of the Attorney General,
dated August 27, 1940, regarding my authority to consummate
this arrangement. . . .
This is not inconsistent in any sense with our status of
peace. Still less is it a threat against any nation. It is an
epochal and far-reaching act of preparation for continental
defense in the face of grave danger. . . .
The value to the Western Hemisphere of these outposts of
security is beyond calculation. . . .(8)
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8. 8. A Sept. 2, 1940, letter from the British Ambassador to
Washington, and the Sept. 2, 1940, response of the Secretary of
State, Cordell Hull, are omitted. The British Ambassador
outlined the terms of the 99-year rent-free lease. The
Secretary of State declared that the Government of the United
States ``gladly accepts the proposals'' and as consideration
for the plan ``will immediately transfer to His Majesty's
Government 50 United States Navy destroyers. . . .''
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Franklin D. Roosevelt,
The White House,
September 3, 1940.
An opinion of the Attorney General outlining Presidential authority
to acquire British offshore naval and air bases and transfer destroyers
to Britain accompanied the President's message.(9)
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9. See Sec. 3.2, supra, for the text of this opinion.
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Announcement of Arrival of American Forces in Iceland
Sec. 11.8 The House received a written message from the President
announcing the arrival in Iceland of forces of the United States
Navy to supplement and eventually replace British forces.
On July 7, 1941,(10) the House received a message from
the President (H. Doc. No. 307) announcing the arrival in Iceland of
United States Navy forces.
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10. 87 Cong. Rec. 5868, 5869, 77th Cong. 1st Sess.
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The Speaker (11) laid before the House the following
message from the President of the United States, which was read,
and together with the accompanying papers, referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed:
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11. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
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To the Congress of the United States:
I am transmitting herewith for the information of the
Congress a message I received from the Prime Minister of
Iceland on July 1 and the reply I addressed on the same day to
the Prime Minister of Iceland in response to this message.
In accordance with the understanding so reached, forces of
the United States Navy have today arrived in Iceland in order
to supplement, and eventually to replace, the British forces
which have until now been stationed in Iceland in order to
insure the adequate defense of that country.
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As I stated in my message to the Congress of September 3
last regarding the acquisition of certain naval and air bases
from Great Britain in exchange for certain over-age destroyers,
considerations of safety from overseas attack are fundamental.
. . .(12)
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12. See Sec. 11.7, supra, for the message of Sept. 3, 1940, announcing
acquisition of British territory for naval and air bases and
transfer of American destroyers to Great Britain.
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This Government will insure the adequate defense of Iceland
with full recognition of the independence of Iceland as a
sovereign state.
In my message to the Prime Minister of Iceland I have given
the people of Iceland the assurance that the American forces
sent there would in no way interfere with the internal and
domestic affairs of that country. . . .
Franklin D. Roosevelt,
The White House,
July 7, 1941.
Messages between the Prime Minister and President accompanied the
President's message to the Congress.
Announcement of Deployment of Marines to Lebanon
Sec. 11.9 The House received a written message in which the President
announced that he had dispatched American Marines to Lebanon to
preserve that nation's independence and protect Americans.
On July 15, 1958,(13) a message was received from the
President, as follows:
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13. 104 Cong. Rec. 13865, 85th Cong. 2d Sess.
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The Speaker (14) laid before the House the following
message from the President of the United States, which was read and
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be
printed:
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14. Sam Rayburn (Tex.).
To the Congress of the United States:
On July 14, 1958, I received an urgent request from the
President of the Republic of Lebanon that some United States
forces be stationed in Lebanon. . . .
United States forces are being sent to Lebanon to protect
American lives and by their presence to assist the Government
of Lebanon in the preservation of Lebanon's territorial
integrity and independence, which have been deemed vital to
United States national interests and world peace. . . .
It is clear that the events which have been occurring in
Lebanon represent indirect aggression from without, and that
such aggression endangers the independence and integrity of
Lebanon. . . .
Our Government has acted in response to an appeal for help
from a small and peaceful nation which has long had ties of
closest friendship with the United States. . . .
Dwight D. Eisenhower,
The White House,
July 15, 1958.
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