Clinton in violation of law Print
FOR RELEASE: May 26, 1999

Clinton in violation of law Had 60 days to pull-out of Kosovo or get approval -- neither has happened

WASHINGTON, DC -- As of 12:01 am Wednesday, May 26, President Clinton will be in clear violation of the 1973 War Powers Resolution. This is the first time a president has violated the resolution since its enactment.
"President Clinton has nothing left to claim: he is in complete violation of the Wars Powers Resolution, there is simply no other interpretation," said US Rep. Ron Paul (R, TX).
Rep. Paul is one of 26 Members of Congress who have filed a lawsuit in federal court against President Clinton in regards to his violation of the War Powers Resolution and the US Constitution.
"No one can argue that a president must, when there is a direct, clear and present danger to American lives, take defensive actions to protect our national interest. However, 60 days ago this president decided to take aggressive action against a sovereign nation; and has since had congressional authorization rejected by a vote of 427 to 2," said Rep. Paul.
Under the War Powers Resolution, a president may engage in hostilities for 60 days without congressional approval. At the end of the 60-day period, however, the president must have either received a Declaration of War, received authorization to continue the action for another set period of time, or begin withdrawing the troops. Since the bombing of Yugoslavia began, the president has been denied a declaration of war and authorization.
"Once again, though, President Clinton is demonstrating his utter disregard for the Constitution and laws of this nation. He apparently views himself as a king, rather than the president of a constitutional republic; he must believe that his will is the law, rather than the Constitution and acts of Congress," said Rep. Paul. "To say this president is anything but dangerous and reckless would be a gross understatement."
Rep. Paul said that while many presidents have violated, with the unspoken consent of Congress, the constitutional responsibility for the initiation of war, President Clinton has done so more frequently and brazenly than any other this century.
"While I am hopeful this president will change his course, recent history has shown this president holds no more respect for court orders than he does for the Constitution or the War Powers Resolution. If he shows the same contempt as in the past, our nation faces serious trouble."