WASHINGTON - Maine independent Sen. Angus King told colleagues Wednesday that they should debate and adopt a new resolution setting out the president's power to make war on ISIS and other terrorist groups in the Middle East.
Speaking on the Senate floor, King said it was made clear when the U.S. Constitution was debated that Congress should decide when war is declared, not the president alone.
"Eldridge Gerry of Massachusetts, I think, put it most succinctly: He said, 'I never expected to hear in a republic a motion to empower the executive alone to declare war,' " King said. "And that is the fundamental question that is before us today."
King said though there are several major issues to resolve this month, none is more important than a war powers resolution that sets limits on U.S. military involvement. He urged the Senate to stay in session until the issue is debated and resolved.
