Focus (The War Powers Act) | Vanderbilt Television News Archive

Focus (The War Powers Act) #572369

NBC Evening News for Saturday, Nov 17, 1990
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(Studio: Garrick Utley) Issue of whether President Bush should ask permission from Congress before going to war with Iraq examined; findings of "Newsweek" poll about Congress debating actions in Middle East outlined on screen.

(Capitol: Douglas Kiker) Debate over whether Congress or the President has final power to declare a shooting war examined; historical scenes shown. [President Franklin D. ROOSEVELT - says December 7, 1941, is date that will live in infamy.] Various presidents recalled sending in troops without consulting Congress: Harry Truman (Korean war, 1950), Dwight Eisenhower (Lebanon, 1958), Lyndon Johnson (Vietnam war, 1965), Ronald Reagan (Grenada), George Bush (Panama). Congress recalled passing War Powers Act in 1970 over Richard Nixon's veto. [Constitutional scholar Peter RAVEN-HANSEN - says act is unenforceable.] [Senator John KERRY - says president and Congress are walking on eggs over act.]

Reporter(s):: Kiker, Douglas;; Utley, Garrick
Duration:: 00:04:10

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