Kaine, McCain to seek War Powers reform

Sen. Timothy M. Kaine, D-Va., has announced a collaboration with Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., to reform the 1973 War Powers Resolution. The senators want to streamline consultation between Congress and the president on whether and when the nation should engage in military action.

“The changing nature of armed conflict and technology are raising challenging new war-powers questions that our founders never could have envisioned,” the senators said in a joint statement. “We are both passionate about establishing a dialogue between the two branches of government that is clear, practical and true to the Constitution.”

Speaking before his colleagues, Kaine said that over the centuries, there have been more than 100 cases where presidents of both parties have initiated military action without prior congressional approval. He said it is important to act now to shore up this process, he said, especially as demands continue to increase for American action in conflicts across the globe.

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