United Liberty
Rand Paul challenges John Kerry on War Powers Act
Fri, 01/25/2013 - 10:07am | posted by Jason Pye
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who has been nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as the next Secretary of State, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday to discuss the administration’s foreign policy. While the confirmation hearing was mostly easy for Kerry, he did face a tough line of questioning from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
Paul, who has been a frequent critic of the prevailing foreign policy views of both parties, asked Kerry about his views regarding unilateral war, specifically regarding military action in Libya.
“I agree with candidate Barack Obama, who said in 2007 that the president doesn’t have the power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack,” explained Paul. “I’d like to know if you agree with candidate Barack Obama or President Barack Obama, who took us to war in Libya without congressional authority, unilaterally?”
Kerry responded, “Well, Senator Paul, one of the things this committee has spent a lot of time on is the War Powers Act, which I support, and I believe in congressional authority to go to war.” However, Kerry tried to give himself some latitude, explaining that “are occasions which I have supported which a President of the United States has to make a decision immediately and implement that decision, execute on it, immediately.” Kerry listed occasions where he has supported a president bypassing Congress, explaining that he though President Obama went with that tradition when he authorized military action in Libya.
“I would argue though that the Constitution really has no exceptions for when you’re having a tough time or when people disagree with you that you just go ahead and do it,” Paul retorted.
He then asked Kerry, who protested the Vietnam War after serving in it, about the bombing in Cambodia. “In the early 1970s, you know, after Vietnam, you were quite critical of the bombing in Cambodia because I think you felt that it wasn’t authorized by Congress,” noted Paul. “Has your opinion changed about the bombing in Cambodia — how’s Cambodia different than Libya?” Kerry responded, “Yeah, it is because it was an extension of a war that was being prosecuted without the involvement of Congress after a number of years.”
Unpersuaded, Paul explained that the circumstances were very similar, noting that it was a “bombing campaign unauthorized by Congress.” Paul took the opportunity to again explain constitutional ramifications, noting that there is no latitude to get around Congress when it comes to war.
Watch the full exchange below:
WE the people need to take John carry out with the trash (Obama) you can’t Lie your way out of the fact your administration has killed over a million innocent people in your search for a killer that the Bush administration dreamed up. You are the Taliban’s biggest supporters and as such: Enemies of this Nation You need to be removed from office for breeching the Constitution and lying to the American People…
Since Mr. Kerry is a LIAR, He LIED to Congress pertaining to Vietnam, Cambodia Etc. He is NOT Fit to Be the Secretary of State or anything else that Represents The US. It is Unfortunate that the people of His District does NOT sdee him for what he is and continues to elect him. I say NO to Kerry as Secretary Of State he is NOT Fit for that Office.
Really. Where do the Dems come up with these guys?
It is like they are trying to put people in positions of power that are ineffectual. Is the bench so thin that this is all they have?
This guys is just another of a long line of hacks, including Big Ben, Hillary (ok. not a hack but she obviously did not have a handle on what was going on in Lybia), Sec. of Energy Chu, Dir. of Health and Human SErvices, etc. etc. etc. Can they be any worse?
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Did you watch the video —-or just read the text. When I read the text I thought, what is wrong with this Kerry? When I listened to the video I thought, what is wrong with this Paul.
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John Kerrys arrogance infuriates me. He’s a liar and a traitor.
Mr Kerry will you immediately resign and pay restitution when these F-16s you are allowing to go to Egypt get turned on Israel and our allies in the area? Are you willing to put your reputation on the line, and take responsibility for you actions or lack of actions that blindly support this socialistic obama agenda?
Why don`t we just send Kerry to take care of all wars.Hell! he was on in the Nam 4 or 5 months and cleaned up the delta.
This POS is an embarrassment to our country.
While the trash is being taken out, take Bite Me also, PLEASE! Talk about national embarrassments!!!
More bullshit. They change like the wind. Egypt had an election, so what he is part of the Muslim Brotherhood…why in the hell would you send them weapons John Kerry. We know damn well if the cards were flipped and Bush was president you would have a completely different story. You are a elitist phony. You care nothing for the American People, not a damn. You want to build relationships with Pakistan yet you act the coward in trying to get the Doctor out of jail who helped us get Bin Laden! What a fool. I do not understand you people and I hope I never do. I believe evil lurks in all of you, it is all about the almighty dollar. Nobody should be in office as long as you have been. One more thing, what is wrong with your face? The bottom part looks distorted, did you have to have surgery? Just wondering.
More BS….Kerry is a lost soul….WITHOUT A SOUL.
Revelation is being fulfilled and Christians stand with me
Putting on the full armor of God .., be on our knees and
Pray for America ! The evil one with greed lurks but we have
The power in Jesus mighty name .. The battle has already
Been won !!!!! A new heaven and earth He has promised us.
Where no longer pain , hunger, sadness we will have to endure.
Satan will be destroyed into the lake of fire !!
Amen and Amen !!
MIGHT AS WELL KEEP THE LYING HILLARY AS SOS…SHE AND KERRY MAKE THE PERFECT PAIR…ONE LIES THE OTHER WILL TELL YOU ITS THE TRUTH….HE IS A TRAITOR AND I CAN’T IMAGINE WHAT THOSE MEN THAT SERVED WITH HIM ARE NOT GAGGING AT THE PROSPECT OF HIM AS SOS….GOD HELP AMERICA….!
I dont want to hear anything about building a relationship with these people who have been providing a safe haven for al quida, yes cut spending to help reduce our debt, if they cant understand that we have obligations then let them deal with their own issues. You did nothting but a song and dance routine about cambodia and would be excellent at covering up for illegal or covert actions. Im not in least bit interested in seeing john kerry as secretary of state anymore than hillary clinton (two peas in a pod), Im sure there are other candidates that are qualified, again our so called president cant give the American People someone that will stand up and do the right thing and serve and protect the people and interests of the United Statess, Obummass needs a lesson in how to qualify a person for a positon and how to judge in the American publics favor something he has not been able to do since day one in the first term in the white house.
HOW DO WE GET AN IMPEACHMENY STARTED? Who do we contact?
It`s time for a third party,Rand and Palin 2016, this is the only way out.
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