Can Balance Be Restored in the Constitutional War Powers of the President and Congress?

Open Access

Abstract

The Cambodian incursion of April, 1970, brought forth renewed observations from constitutional scholars, eminent and amateur, that the war-making power of Congress had been eroded and the checks and balances system for the initiation and conduct of hostilities by American troops, as contemplated by the Founding Fathers, rendered almost inoperative. Debates on the National Commitments Resolution and the Cooper-Church Amendments, as well as events following adoption of these measures, appear to sustain such conclusions. How has this happened? What, if anything, can be done to restore some balance in this crucial area of public policy? Should there be an effort by Congress to re-create such balance, particularly in view of the emergency nature of nuclear and conventional conflict and the changing world in which we live?