Obama Asks Congress to “Rein In” the President's War Powers

In an opening for the peace movement and human rights advocates, President Obama is inviting Congress to draft legislation to “rein in” the executive war-making powers of the presidency, including his own White House. Congressional leaders are mulling over a possible response, proposing revisions in the War Powers Act, even before the November 6 election. Obama seems to be taking seriously that his clandestine drone attacks, targeted assassination policies, military tribunals and detentions, cyber warfare, and Libyan intervention face significant constitutional questions and may violate the War Powers Act.