Mike Lee joins Rand Paul on bill requiring congressional approval for Syria-type military action

[ABX]

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, joined Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, in introducing a bill Tuesday that would require presidents to get congressional approval before taking military action over humanitarian concerns.

The bill comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s order last week to fire missiles at a Syrian air base in response to that government’s use of chemical weapons in an earlier attack....

http://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2017/04/11/mike-lee-joins-rand-paul-bill-requiring-congressional-approval-syria-type-military-action/100328330/

[Frank Cannon]

I support what is going on here, but doesn't the President have to already do this? He doesn't necessarily have to do it prior to the event, but he has to talk to congress about conducting a mission like this.

[ABX]

I support what is going on here, but doesn't the President have to already do this? He doesn't necessarily have to do it prior to the event, but he has to talk to congress about conducting a mission like this.

You are correct. The President is required by the War Powers Act to go to Congress w/ in 48 hours of the emergency action. The President presented his case in writing to Congress on Saturday so he did correctly follow the law.

However, he can't continue action now unless congress approves it.