Congress
Just Security’s expert authors offer analysis of U.S. Congress’ role in national security, foreign affairs, the rule of law, and rights. Coverage includes analysis and informational resources related to the legislative process, oversight and investigations of the executive branch, and major debates on the separation of powers and Congress’ constitutional role.
2,452 Articles
Ongoing “Covert” Training of Syrian Rebels: But is it still covert . . . and, if so, why?
[Cross-posted at Lawfare] Last week Congress approved, and the President signed, legislation that authorizes the Secretary of Defense (see section 149) to “provide assistance,…
National Security and the 2014 Midterms:
A Preview of Monday’s CQ Roll Call / Just Security Event
This Tuesday marks the first anniversary of the launch of Just Security. To help celebrate our first year, we’re co-sponsoring an event tomorrow with CQ Roll Call on the…
Congress Appropriates Funds for President to Train Syrian Opposition
This week, Congress passed a continuing resolution for the fiscal year 2015, H.J. Res. 214, with a roll call of 78-22 in the Senate and 319-108 in the House. [Text, PDF.] Section…
SFRC Access to Intelligence Information During Force Authorization Debate
On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on the Administration’s proposed strategy to defeat the Islamic State featuring Secretary of State John Kerry. …
Sec. Kerry’s difficult defense of 2001 AUMF application to ISIL–and Senators’ Disbelief
Wednesday’s Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (SCFR) hearing on ISIL presented an opportunity for the administration to defend its theory that the use of force against ISIL…
No, You Can’t Strip Americans of their Citizenship, Senator Cruz: The Folly of the Expatriate Terrorists Act
Today, as the nation debates serious matters such as how best to address the ISIS and how best to reform NSA surveillance authorities, Senator Ted Cruz will reportedly seek unanimous…
Kaine’s Proposed AUMF Would Allow Limited Ground Combat Against ISIL
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), this morning released a draft proposal of an AUMF against the Islamic State that would authorize American ground troops to engage in limited combat in Iraq…
Hagel and Dempsey Won’t Rule Out Possibility of U.S. Ground Combat Troops in Iraq
On Sept. 16, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey testified before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on the Pentagon’s…
The House’s New Proposal for an AUMF Against ISIL
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) proposed today an authorization for military force against ISIL, detailed in a statement on his website, complete with draft text. Schiff’s proposal…
When Institutions Fail: A Thought Experiment
[Editors’ Note: The following post is the second installment of a new feature, “Monday Reflections,” in which a different Just Security editor will take a…
White House Relies on 2002 Iraq Authorization—But What’s the Theory?
The New York Times’ Charlie Savage reports that the White House is relying not only on the 2001 authorization to use military force (the Sept 11th AUMF) but also the 2002 authorization…
A Response to Bruce Ackerman’s NYT Op-Ed on the President’s War Powers
Bruce Ackerman’s Op-Ed in the New York Times today is an interesting read. In it, he makes some impassioned arguments against the President’s legal justifications for the…