cs.indiana.edu/statecraft/warpow.html).
While the president has the power to veto proposed bills and laws he does not have the right to declare war against the wishes of Congress. He has continued to assert however that Congress gave him permission to invade Iraq through other means including the bills about the war on terrorism (the URI to TrackBack this entry is:
http://thinkprogress.org/2005 / 12 / 20 / did-not-expand / trackback/).
In the case of the invasion of Iraq the president was met with staunch opposition. In fact a federal lawsuit was filed in Boston stating the president did so without the approval of congress.
The constitution of the United States is worded in a way that prevents presidents from declaring war without the express approval and support of congress (13 February 2003 Suit questions Bush's war powers by David D. Haskell
United Press International (http://cndyorks.gn.apc.org/caab/articles/federallawsuit.htm)
Bush claims that the resolution about Iraq in 2003 gave him permission to declare war however, those who opposed him say it didn't it only provided a framework in case it became necessary at a later date.
The invasion violated Article I, section 8 of the United States Constitution which says...
Haskell
United Press International (http://cndyorks.gn.apc.org/caab/articles/federallawsuit.htm)."
CONCLUSION
The president has the power to veto bills that are passed into law however the constitution specifically limits any power the president has to declare and carry out an act of war without the approval of congress. Congress never gave approval to invade Iraq three years ago. It did prepare and adopt a resolution that would prepare America to go to war if it was later deemed necessary however President Bush took that and twisted it to mean that he could send the troops immediately and did exactly that. The problem is Congress has not acted to remove the troops which it would be within its constitutionally provided rights to do.
References
Congress Explicitly Said War Resolution Did Not Expand Executive Power
http://thinkprogress.org/2005/12/20/did-not-expand/
War powers act http://www.cs.indiana.edu/statecraft/warpow.html
13 February 2003 Suit questions Bush's war powers by David D. Haskell
United Press International http://cndyorks.gn.apc.org/caab/articles/federallawsuit.htm
