On April 28, 1970 President Nixon gave formal authorization to commit U.S. incursion of combat troops into Cambodia and attack communist troop sanctuaries. Nixon believed the operation was a necessary preemptive strike to avert North Vietnamese attacks on South Vietnam from Cambodia. When Nixon announced the Cambodian incursion two days later it was perceived as an invasion of Cambodia and an illegal widening of the war. At major universities, a wave of antiwar demonstrations broke out. Army National Guard troops killed four unarmed students at Kent State University, along with 2 student deaths, and 12 wounded at Jackson State College. Many members of congress also opposed he war and accused the Nixon of a power grab. Congress began proposing a series of congressional resolutions and legislative initiatives to limit the executive power of the president.
Three years later, congress passed the War Powers Resolution of 1973 which put a check on the president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of U.S. congress. The War Powers resolution required the president to notify congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action an forbid armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days without a full declaration of war. This law was passed by two-thirds of congress, overriding Nixon's presidential veto.
As President Gerald Ford was completing his tenure in office, he began to speak out against the dangers of the War Powers Resolution. In his 1977 state of the Union Address, Ford lashed out against what he called a "congressional intrusion".
"The exclusive right to declare war, the duty to advise and consent on the part of the Senate, the power of the purse on the part of the House are ample authority for the legislative branch and should be jealously guarded. But because we may have been too careless of these powers in the past does not justify congressional intrusion into, or obstruction of, the proper exercise of Presidential responsibilities now or in the future. There can be only one Commander in Chief. In these times crises cannot be managed and wars cannot be waged by committee, nor can peace be pursued solely by parliamentary debate. To the ears of the world, the President speaks for the Nation. While he is, of course, ultimately accountable to the Congress, the courts, and the people, he and his emissaries must not be handicapped in advance in their relations with foreign governments as has sometimes happened in the past."
President Ford continued to look for other opportunities to speak out against the War Powers Resolution. On February 20, 1978 Ford presented to the student body at Kansas State University and the nation what would become known as his "War Powers Resolution" speech. In this speech, Ford attacked congress for claiming what he called "unprecedented power in the conduct of foreign policy". President Ford accused the War Powers Act as destroying the constitutional checks and balances, mandating that the president consult with congressional leaders in military emergencies. "But can it be mandated by law, and if so, what does it mean as a practical matter? ", Ford mused. "Can the president satisfy the law by having breakfast with three or four or even a dozen if he decides they are the key people?" Ford continued, "What if the president and the Congress disagree? Which of these separate but equal powers would prevail in such a confrontation?". Later in this speech, Ford also attacked the War Powers Resolution of being impractical. He explained that is impractical to try and assemble members of congress during an emergency before taking action. Emergencies can occur at the worst time. Congress may not be in session, and members may be difficult to reach. Ford told a story that occurred during the tragic civil war in Lebanon. Evacuation of American citizens began while congress was on recess, and one member of Congress could not be reached by phone, so the White house operators had to rely on local police to leave a note on the congressman's door, "please call the White House". President Ford began the conclusion of his speech, by repeating the words he spoke during his 1977 State of the Union Address.
"In these times crises cannot be managed and wars cannot be waged by committee, nor can peace be pursued solely by parliamentary debate. To the ears of the world, the President speaks for the Nation. While he is, of course, ultimately accountable to the Congress, the courts, and the people, he and his emissaries must not be handicapped in advance in their relations with foreign governments as has sometimes happened in the past."
http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/speeches/780220.asp
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/nixon-approves-cambodian-incursion
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution
http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/speeches/780220.asp
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fc/UH-1D_helicopters_in_Vietnam_1966.jpg
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