I will be testifying today in the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management. The hearing is entitled “War Powers and the Effects of Unauthorized Military Engagements on Federal Spending” and will address the new proposed Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) proposed by Senators Bob Corker (R-TN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). As my testimony below discusses, the new legislation would represent an unprecedented change in the law governing war powers. The new AUMF amounts to a statutory revision of one of the most defining elements of the United States Constitution. Putting aside the constitutionality of such a change absent a formal amendment, the proposed legislation completes a long history of this body abdicating its core responsibilities over the declaration of war.
I will be testifying with Judge Andrew Napolitano and Christopher Anders, Deputy Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office.
The hearing is being called by Sen. Rand Paul (R. KY) who has been a champion for restoring the constitutional obligations of Congress in the declaration of wars. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building SD-342.
Here is my testimony: Testimony.Turley.Senate.Judiciary.War Powers.
