Reading Response #3: Executive War Power
READINGS: The required readings for this reflection areÂ
Federalist #26, #69Â
http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fedpapers.html (Links to an external site.)
http://avalon.law.yale.edu/subject_menus/fed.asp (Links to an external site.)
Cato #4 (link)Â 1. Cato’s Letters: This is a link to a collection of Cato’s letters. Very influential writings on the American Founding written by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon at the beginning of the 18th Century. these are NOT anti-federalist “Cato” who is a different author(s).
http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/trenchard-catos-letters-vol-1-november-5-1720-to-june-17-1721-lf-ed (Links to an external site.)
Patrick Henry Speech #9 (link)
“Congress is Abdicating…†(download)
“The War Powers Debate†(download)
“Presidential Power and Drones†(download)
Specific Response Prompt (Students must reference at least three (3) of the readings)
The question of where the president’s power begins and ends has been a continuing debate, particularly on the question of war power and the military. The foundation of this discussion may be seen in four of the assigned readings and a more modern interpretation of presidential and Congressional role is present in the others. Using these more theoretical discussions of the role of the president (and Congress) respond to the following inquiry:Â
Who holds ultimate responsibility for military engagements that involve the United States, the President or Congress?