The U.S. has failed to properly enact a system of checks and balances when it comes to national security, leaving Americans out of major decisions, a coalition of 20 advocacy groups said in a "statement of principles" obtained by The Hill.
"All Americans have a stake in decisions to go to war, bypass ordinary laws through emergency declarations or sell weapons to foreign regimes," the advocacy groups said.
"However, the system of checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution is broken. This is a bipartisan problem, created through generations of presidential power grabs, and by Congress' failure to do its job. As a result, it has become practically impossible for the public to have their say in debates that have huge implications both for the American people and for international peace and security."
The Senate earlier this month voted to require President Donald Trump seek congressional authorization before taking additional military action against Iran in an attempt to rein in the president's war-making powers. The move came six weeks after Trump authorized the killing of a top Iranian security commander without authorization from Congress.
The measure fell short of the two-thirds supermajority needed to override a promised veto by Trump, though the 55-45 bipartisan vote amounted to a symbolic rebuke of the president.
The House Rules Committee plans to hold a hearing on the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches on national security issues, per The Hill.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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