WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative James P. McGovern, Chairman of the House Rules Committee, and Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following joint statement after their respective committees examined possible reforms to the War Powers Resolution to reclaim Congressional authority:
“Today is a historic day. Executive authority on matters of war and peace has gone unchecked for many years, no matter who was in the White House or which party controlled Congress. It’s time for that to end. Our committees showed that the nearly fifty-year old War Powers Resolution not only can be reformed, but it must be reimagined to work in a modern Congress. There is an emerging bipartisan consensus that we must end endless wars and reclaim Congress’ constitutional responsibility over why and when we send our uniformed men and women into harm’s way. The testimony we heard today will guide our next steps as we work to finally make this reform a reality.”
# # #