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Section 8 of Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution grants to Congress the powers “To declare war … To raise and support Armies … To provide and maintain a Navy …”
Since war and other military activities require the participation of and expense by the citizenry of the country, the Founders required such public approval via its representatives in Congress.
There are emergencies in which it is inappropriate for the commander in chief to wait for congressional approval, but even those circumstances are not without limits. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 restricts the power of the president from committing armed forces to hostilities for more than 48 hours without authorization by Congress.
It is evident to us that President Donald Trump is acting without appropriate authorization. He has not asked Congress to act, nor has Congress acted on its own. Therefore, it is inappropriate for U.S. citizens to have to bear the financial burdens he has imposed on the country.
We submit: The president, as of 48 hours of having on his own initiated military action, is now solely responsible for the current use of our military in the Middle East and that he himself should have to pay for it. Every nickel. Every dime. Every dollar.
Martha Block
Sidney Block
Northport