WASHINGTON INSIGHT
WINNERS & LOSERS: Democratic congressional leaders are portraying last week’s actions on the Persian Gulf resolution as a victory for the Congress, even though both the Senate and House voted to authorize President Bush to use military force to drive Iraq out of Kuwait.
Although Bush most likely will be able to tout those votes as a political victory for himself, the Democrats are saying the fact that Congress voted on the issue at all represents a setback for the presidency. The argument: The House and Senate, in taking any action, reasserted Congress’ right to declare war.
Since the Vietnam War, debate has been raging over whether the President may wage war without the approval of Congress. Rep. Stephen J. Solarz (D-N.Y.) and other Democrats say that the congressional debates and actions taken on Saturday tilted the balance back in the favor of the legislative branch.
“We are resolving the constitutional issue by adopting this (resolution),” Solarz said.
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