Truth about Syria

[MisterVeritis]

Congress has not declared war on anyone since 1941.

They have used Authorizations for the Use of Force several times. Nothing specific about Syria. The administration relied on the general authorization that was issued in 2001 giving the president authority to go after al Qaeda and its affiliates globally.

The Congress cannot grant a general authorization for the president to wage wars whenever the president chooses.

[MisterVeritis]

Damn that Patriot Act! No, really. The more power we give the Feds, the more likely it will be used against "We, the People". Better to risk a terrorist act or two.

The patriot act is not a war declaration.

[Peter1469]

Those are war declarations.

I don't think they are legally seen as equivalent to a declaration of war. For one, a declaration is based on the Constitution, Art. 1, sec. 8. Authorizations are based on statue.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) <<NOTE: President.>> In General.--That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.