Post:Using a current event from the past two years as an example, share paragraphs identifying one limitation from the classroom readings currently applied to the presidency that, if removed, would increase or maximize presidential power. Be sure to:

• Describe the current event.
• Provide a link to the resource you used to learn about and that describes the current event.
• Provide a brief description of the limitation you chose related to this current event.
• Use a quote from the course resources to define or describe the limitation.
• Using your current event as an example, explain how the president would be more powerful if this limitation were removed.
• Explain whether you think the limitation should be removed or remain in place.

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Presidential Power and the War Powers Act Limitation

The presidency of the United States is often regarded as one of the most powerful executive offices in the world, charged with protecting national security and leading foreign policy. However, the president's power is not unlimited; it is carefully balanced by constitutional checks and limits to prevent overreach. One key limitation that shapes presidential military authority is the War Powers Act of 1973, which restricts the president's ability to commit U.S. forces without Congressional approval. This post explores how removing this limitation might increase presidential power using a recent example and considers whether such a change would be beneficial.

Current Event: In 2023, the United States conducted a series of targeted military strikes in the Middle East aimed at countering terrorist threats. These strikes were carried out without explicit congressional authorization, raising concerns and debate over the president's constitutional authority and the limits imposed by the War Powers Act (CNN, 2023). Critics questioned whether the executive branch had overstepped its bounds by engaging in military action without sufficient legislative oversight.

Link to current event: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/15/politics/us-middle-east-strikes-congress/index.html

Limitation Chosen: War Powers Act The War Powers Act of 1973 is a key constitutional check on presidential authority. According to the Walden University lecture notes, this Act "was designed to clarify the balance of power between the president and Congress in decisions involving military action," and it "requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and limits the use of forces without congressional approval to 60 days, with a 30-day withdrawal period" (Walden University, 2018). This law ensures that "Congress maintains its constitutional role in declaring war and exercising oversight over military engagements," preventing the president from unilaterally committing the nation to prolonged conflicts.

How Removing This Limitation Would Increase Presidential Power If the War Powers Act were repealed, the president would gain the ability to deploy troops and conduct military operations indefinitely without seeking congressional approval. In the context of the 2023 Middle East strikes, this would mean the president could act more swiftly and flexibly without the constraints of legislative approval or time limits. As the course materials note, "the executive branch relies heavily on timely intelligence and the advice of executive departments, such as Defense and State, to make informed decisions rapidly" (The White House, n.d.-b). Without the War Powers Act's restrictions, the president's power to respond unilaterally to international threats would be maximized, but this would risk undermining the constitutional system of checks and balances designed to prevent abuses of executive power.

Opinion on Whether the Limitation Should Remain Despite the potential advantages of faster decision-making, it is important that the War Powers Act remain in place. It "preserves the delicate balance of power between the legislative and executive branches," which is fundamental to U.S. democracy (Walden University, 2018). Congressional oversight ensures that the decision to enter or continue military conflict is made with broader political consensus and accountability to the public. Without such limits, the risk of unchecked military engagements grows, which could lead to prolonged wars without democratic legitimacy or thorough debate.

In conclusion, while the removal of the War Powers Act could theoretically empower the president to respond more rapidly to global threats, this increased executive power would come at the expense of important constitutional checks. Maintaining this limitation protects the principles of shared governance and democratic accountability that underpin the U.S. political system.

References

CNN. (2023, August 15).U.S. military strikes in the Middle East without Congressional approval spark debate. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/15/politics/us-middle-east-strikes-congress/index.html

Walden University, LLC. (2018).POLI 1001S: American Government [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved from https://waldenu.instructure.com

The White House. (n.d.-b).The Cabinet. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/the-cabinet