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.
2,544 Articles
U.N. Committee Criticizes U.S. Record on Torture, Praises U.S. on Extraterritorial Reach of Treaty
On Friday, the United Nations Committee against Torture released its report (full text) on U.S. compliance with the Convention Against Torture. The Committee’s review included…
Guest Post: NSA Reform — The Consequences of Failure
If you were expecting this to be a detailed post-mortem on the demise of the USA Freedom Act, you will be disappointed. As others have covered that ground, I want to focus on the…
Senator Rand Paul’s Proposed Declaration of War and AUMF against ISIL
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has released a proposal to declare war against the Islamic State and authorize the use of military force against it. In relevant part, Paul’s joint resolution…
Takeaways from the House Intelligence Committee Cybersecurity Hearing
On Thursday morning, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence held a hearing on “Cybersecurity Threats: The Way Forward,” featuring testimony by Adm. Michael Rogers,…
The Hicks Military Commission Appeal
Just over a year ago, I wrote a post about the David Hicks and Omar Khadr cases–and the very real possibility that, as a result of the D.C. Circuit’s decision in “Hamdan…
There Will Be Surveillance Reform
How should we understand the Senate’s failure to pass the USA Freedom Act on Tuesday? I’m not sure. But I’m pretty sure it’s misguided to propose, as Steve Vladeck did…
Livestream of National Security Law Brief Symposium: Congress, Use-of-Force Authorizations, and ISIL
This afternoon, from 2-6 p.m., the National Security Law Brief at American University Washington College of Law is hosting a symposium on Congress, use-of-force authorizations,…
The End of the Snowden Affair
Sometime around 7:30 p.m. (EST) last night, the 17-month-long national conversation over how to reform U.S. foreign intelligence surveillance authorities effectively ended when…
Debunking the “Vichy France” Argument on Authorization to Use Force against Co-Belligerents
If Congress authorizes the President to wage war against an enemy (e.g., Al Qaeda), can the President also wage war against co-belligerents of that enemy (e.g., Al Qaeda of the…
Seeking Consensus on AUMFs
[Cross-posted at Lawfare] The three of us have coauthored an Op-Ed in Sunday’s Washington Post on the topic of congressional authorization for the use of force against ISIL and…
The core of Zivotofsky: of passports, property, commerce, recognition . . . and, ultimately, diplomacy
Seth Barrett Tillman is probably correct: Section 214(d) of the 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act–which requires the Secretary of State to record the place of birth…
114th Congress Faces Significant Committee Shake-Ups
In the wake of last week’s election, both chambers of Congress (and both parties) are facing significant changes to committee memberships with the start of the 114th Congress.…