Dole Proposes Legislation to Expand Presidential War Powers

Senator Bob Dole, as part of his opening-day initiatives for the new GOP-controlled Congress, proposed legislation aimed at expanding presidential war powers in general while reining in President Clinton's exercise of them in particular. Dole's proposed overhaul of the War Powers Act, which currently limits the president's ability to commit U.S. forces overseas by requiring congressional approval, would repeal the act and replace it with restrictions against foreign command of U.S. troops and rules that better enable Congress to place budget limits on U.S. involvement in U.N. peacekeeping operations.

Key Takeaways:

• Dole proposed legislation to expand presidential war powers, specifically targeting the 22-year-old War Powers Act, which limits the president's ability to commit U.S. forces overseas.
• The proposed legislation, named the 'Peace Powers Act of 1995,' would repeal the War Powers Act and replace it with specific limits on U.S. participation in multinational peacekeeping missions.
• The bill would require Congress to approve U.S. involvement in U.N. peacekeeping operations and restrict the use of U.S. forces and funds in such missions.
• Senator Dole argued that his proposal would untie the president's hands in using American forces to defend American interests, while restricting the use of American forces and funds in United Nations peacekeeping.
• The Clinton administration opposes the proposed overhaul of the War Powers Act, citing concerns that lifting the U.N.-imposed arms embargo on the Bosnian government could destroy the current cease-fire and provide an opening for radical Islamic regimes to enter the fray.

Statistics:

• The War Powers Act has been in effect for 22 years, since its enactment in 1973.
• The proposed legislation, the 'Peace Powers Act of 1995,' would replace the War Powers Act with new restrictions on U.S. participation in multinational peacekeeping missions.
• The U.N.-imposed arms embargo on the Bosnian government has been in place since the early 1990s.
• The cease-fire in the Bosnian conflict has been in effect for approximately four months, since the beginning of 1995.
• Seven senators voted against the War Powers Act in 1973, including Senator Jesse Helms, R-N.C., who supports Dole's proposed reform.

Sources:

• PAUL BASKEN, "Dole Proposes Legislation To Expanding Presidential War Powers", Washington (Reuter), January 4, 1995.
• PAUL BASKEN, "Dole Proposes Legislation to Expand Presidential War Powers", Washington (Reuter), January 4, 1995.
• PAUL BASKEN, "Dole Proposes Legislation to Expand Presidential War Powers", Washington (Reuter), January 4, 1995.