Who Decides Whether We Go to War
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Columnist David S. Broder seems a little confused about who has the authority to initiate a war ["Fixing How We Go to War," op-ed, July 10]. Call me crazy, but I've always thought the Constitution was fairly clear: Congress has the power to raise armies, regulate the military and declare war, while the president is responsible for commanding the armed forces.
The Founders never envisioned a permanent federal army of the sort we have today. It stands to reason that if the Founders never envisioned a standing army, they certainly couldn't have envisioned a president who could start wars without Congress's approval by exercising perpetual powers of "command."
The War Powers Consultation Act would only legitimize the misconception that the president has the power to start wars. The Constitution ain't broke, and legislation that credits the existence of unenumerated war powers for the executive branch certainly isn't going to fix it.
CRAIG STERN
Chicago
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Discussing the War Powers Act, David S. Broder wrote that "its constitutionality is suspect." Many constitutional scholars share that view. Nevertheless, Mr. Broder supports the War Powers Consultation Act proposed by former secretaries of state James A. Baker III and Warren Christopher. It is not entirely clear, however, why the president can be forced to "consult" with Congress with regards to executive decisions but cannot be bound by Congress's time limits.
Congress already has the power of the purse, and that is more than any piece of legislation could offer it.
HIRBOD RASHIDI
Los Angeles
