Debate: The President’s Constitutional Authority

Image: Flickr --  DonkeyHotey

Image: Flickr — DonkeyHotey

The President has launched a sustained, long-term military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. But did he have constitutional power to do so? Join us for an informative debate. The Constitution carefully divides the war powers of the United States between Congress and the President. Article II provides that “The President shall be Commander in Chief.” But Article I provides that “The Congress shall have Power … To Declare War.” In this case, Congress has not declared war; the President ordered the attacks unilaterally. Did he exceed his authority and violate the Constitution?

Presented by the Richard Paul Richman Center for Business, Law, and Public Policy at Columbia University, Intelligence Squared U.S., and the National Constitution Center

FOR
Gene Healy
VP, Cato Institute and Author, False Idol

Deborah Pearlstein
Asst. Prof., Cardozo Law and former director, Law & Security Program, Human Rights First

AGAINST
Philip Bobbitt
Professor, Columbia Law School & Lecturer, Univ. of Texas at Austin

Jake Sullivan
Lecturer, Yale Law School and former director of Policy Planning, U.S. State Dept.

MODERATOR
John Donvan
Author and correspondent for ABC News











When: Tue., Mar. 31, 2015 at 6:45 pm
Where: Columbia University
116th St. & Broadway
212-854-1754
Price: $25
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Image: Flickr --  DonkeyHotey

Image: Flickr — DonkeyHotey

The President has launched a sustained, long-term military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. But did he have constitutional power to do so? Join us for an informative debate. The Constitution carefully divides the war powers of the United States between Congress and the President. Article II provides that “The President shall be Commander in Chief.” But Article I provides that “The Congress shall have Power … To Declare War.” In this case, Congress has not declared war; the President ordered the attacks unilaterally. Did he exceed his authority and violate the Constitution?

Presented by the Richard Paul Richman Center for Business, Law, and Public Policy at Columbia University, Intelligence Squared U.S., and the National Constitution Center

FOR
Gene Healy
VP, Cato Institute and Author, False Idol

Deborah Pearlstein
Asst. Prof., Cardozo Law and former director, Law & Security Program, Human Rights First

AGAINST
Philip Bobbitt
Professor, Columbia Law School & Lecturer, Univ. of Texas at Austin

Jake Sullivan
Lecturer, Yale Law School and former director of Policy Planning, U.S. State Dept.

MODERATOR
John Donvan
Author and correspondent for ABC News

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