James A. Leach: “This is a self-explanatory amendment. It is designed to protect the constitutional authority and responsibility of the…”

“This is a self-explanatory amendment. It is designed to protect the constitutional authority and responsibility of the President as Commander in Chief from unprecedented and improper congressional tampering with the separation of powers doctrine. The Commander in Chief clause of the Constitution supports two key policy precepts. First, it gives the President broad authority to command the military forces of the United States, thereby securing civilian command over the military. Second, and most relevant to this debate, the framers also sought to ensure that one commander had sole authority to direct the Nation's fighting forces. The colonists had learned the difficulties of prosecuting war via committee during the American Revolution. Naming the President Commander in Chief was intended to assure consistent orders, plans, and decisions. The President was not given the authority to make the political decision to declare war, but he was granted the authority to command the troops in day-to-day operations. In its present form, this bill, with unbridled gall, undercuts the separation of powers doctrine by limiting the well-established constitutional authority of the President to decide upon the command arrangements for U.S. military personnel.”