July 19, 2023, Fairfax, Va.—Americans for Limited Government President Rick Manning today issued the following statement blasting the defeat of an amendment offered by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to the National Defense Authorization Act that would have affirmed Congress’ power to declare war under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution:
“It was disappointing that 83 Senators disagreed with the basic principle that a treaty cannot supersede the U.S. Constitution when it comes to going to war.
“Americans for Limited Government supported Amendment 222 offered by Senator Rand Paul to the NDAA this afternoon affirming that Congress’ power to declare war under Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution.
“The world is in a perilous time and it is for these exact times that following the Constitution is of paramount importance. The decision to go to war must always be made with the consent of the governed and that means through a vote of Congress. This would not have changed the NATO Treaty, but merely reaffirmed provisions within it which assure that actions should be carried out within the framework of each member country’s constitutions.”
Attachments:
Dr. Paul, Reps. Roy and Davidson Reaffirm Congress’ Constitutional Authority to Declare War, June 22, 2023 at https://www.paul.senate.gov/dr-paul-reps-roy-and-davidson-reaffirm-congress-constitutional-authority-to-declare-war/
For media availability contact Americans for Limited Government at media@limitgov.org.
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