Republican Rep. Scott Rigell (VA-02) has organized a letter signed by both Republican and Democratic colleagues urging the President to seek Congressional authorization before any military intervention in Syria. From what we've seen so far, the White House doesn't seem to consider informing Congress, let alone seeking its approval, to be of much importance--a sign of the "imperial presidency" we've managed to develop in the country over the past several decades.
Most of the signers are Republicans. That could be a result of Rigell's own affiliation (and his ready contacts) and the fact that many Congresspersons are not in DC. I know that always-great Barbara Lee, for instance, has called for the reconvening of Congress so that any military intervention be put to a debate. Some Democrats, however, might show a hesitancy to challenge the President.
If you have seen any other Congresspersons call for reconvening Congress, post so in the comment section below.
Either way, if your Representative is not on this list, give him or her a call.
For curiosity's sake, I want to cross-check the list below with the Iraq War authorization and the Amash-Conyers vote. I recognize a number of names on the list that were supporters of Amash-Conyers and only a handful of opponents.
August 28, 2013
We strongly urge you to consult and receive authorization from Congress before ordering the use of U.S. military force in Syria. Your responsibility to do so is prescribed in the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973.
While the Founders wisely gave the Office of the President the authority to act in emergencies, they foresaw the need to ensure public debate — and the active engagement of Congress — prior to committing U.S. military assets. Engaging our military in Syria when no direct threat to the United States exists and without prior congressional authorization would violate the separation of powers that is clearly delineated in the Constitution.
Mr. President, in the case of military operations in Libya you stated that authorization from Congress was not required because our military was not engaged in “hostilities.” In addition, an April 1, 2011, memorandum to you from your Office of Legal Counsel concluded:
“… President Obama could rely on his constitutional power to safeguard the national interest by directing the anticipated military operations in Libya –which were limited in their nature, scope, and duration — without prior congressional authorization.”
We view the precedent this opinion sets, where “national interest” is enough to engage in hostilities without congressional authorization, as unconstitutional. If the use of 221 Tomahawk cruise missiles, 704 Joint Direct Attack Munitions, and 42 Predator Hellfire missiles expended in Libya does not constitute “hostilities,” what does?
If you deem that military action in Syria is necessary, Congress can reconvene at your request. We stand ready to come back into session, consider the facts before us, and share the burden of decisions made regarding U.S. involvement in the quickly escalating Syrian conflict.
Sincerely,
Rep. Scott Rigell (VA-02)
Republican
Rep. Matt Salmon (AZ-05)
Republican
Rep. Mo Brooks (AL-05)
Republican
Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05)
Republican
Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-04)
Republican
Rep. Tom Marino (PA-10)
Republican
Rep. Dan Benishek (MI-01)
Republican
Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-17)
Republican
Rep. Steve Pearce (NM-02)
Republican
Rep. Tim Griffin (AR-2)
Republican
Rep. Justin Amash (MI-03)
Republican
Rep. Raul Labrabor (ID-01)
Republican
Rep. Joseph Pitts (PA-16)
Republican
Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-08)
Republican
Rep. John Campbell (CA-45)
Republican
Rep. Paul Gosar (AZ-04)
Republican
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (GA-03)
Republican
Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-02)
Republican
Rep. Charles Boustany (LA-03)
Republican
Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04)
Republican
Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-01)
Republican
Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08)
Republican
Rep. Bill Posey (FL-8)
Republican
Rep. Randy Forbes (VA-04)
Republican
Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11)
Republican
Rep. David Roe (TN-01)
Republican
Rep. Mark Sanford (SC-01)
Republican
Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (TN-02)
Republican
Rep. Reid Ribble (WI-08)
Republican
Rep. James Lankford (OK-05)
Republican
Rep. Bill Cassidy (LA-06)
Republican
Rep. Stephen Fincher (TN-08)
Republican
Rep. Trey Radel (FL-19)
Republican
Rep. Chris Stewart (UT-02)
Republican
Rep. Lynn Jenkins (KS-02)
Republican
Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
Republican
Rep. David McKinley (WV-01)
Republican
Rep. Gus Bilirakis (Fl-12)
Republican
Rep. Joseph Heck (NV-03)
Republican
Rep. Dennis Ross (FL-15)
Republican
Rep. Billy Long (MO-07)
Republican
Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14)
Republican
Rep. Steven Palazzo (MS-04)
Republican
Rep. Kevin Yoder (KS-03)
Republican
Rep. Doug Collins(GA-09)
Republican
Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (PA-08)
Republican
Rep. Gene Green (TX-29)
Democrat
Rep. Beto O’Rourke (TX-16)
Democrat
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19)
Democrat
Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Democrat
Rep. Kurt Schrader (OR-5)
Democrat
Rep. Rush Holt (NJ-12)
Democrat
Rep. William Enyart (IL-12)
Democrat
Rep. Timothy Walz (MN-01)
Democrat
Rep. Christopher Gibson (NY-19)
Republican
Rep. Trey Gowdy (SC-04)
Republican
Rep. Frank Wolf (VA-10)
Republican
Rep. Michael Capuano (MA-07)
Democrat
Rep. Michael Simpson (ID-02)
Republican
Rep. Michael McCaul (TX-10)
Republican
Rep. Thomas E. Petri (WI-06)
Republican
Rep. Robert Pittenger (NC-09)
Republican
Rep. Walter Jones (NC-03)
Republican
Rep. Tom Latham (IA-04)
Republican
Rep. Richard Nolan (MN-08)
Democrat
Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-07)
Democrat
Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (MI-11)
Republican
Rep. Mike Coffman (CO-06)
Republican
Rep. Sean Duffy (WI-07)
Republican
Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01)
Democrat
Rep. Morgan Griffith (VA-09)
Republican
Rep. Brad Wenstrup (OH-02)
Republican
Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-02)
Republican
Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25)
Republican
Rep. Doug Lamalfa (CA-01)
Republican
Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY-02)
Republican
Rep. Sam Farr (CA-20)
Democrat
Rep. Steve Daines (MT)
Republican
Rep. Robert Hurt (VA-05)
Republican
Rep. Steve Southerland, II (FL-2)
Republican
Rep. Michele Bachmann (MN-06)
Republican
Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-04)
Republican