On the recordNovember 17, 2011
this amendment will call for a formal end to the war in Iraq. Our Founding Fathers intended the power to commit the Nation to war be lodged in Congress, and that is what the Constitution says. The power to declare war is one of the most important powers given to Congress, and it should remain in Congress. James Madison wrote at the beginning in the Federalist Papers that ``[t]he Constitution supposes what history demonstrates, that the Executive is the branch most prone to war . . . therefore the Constitution has with studied care vested that power [to declare war] in the Legislature.'' We are calling for a formal end to the war in Iraq as the troops come home, as the President has planned by January 1. This will reclaim the power to declare war that is vested in Congress. It allows for checks and balances and is an important milestone and an important retaining of power for Congress. So I will ask very careful deliberation of a formal end to the war in Iraq by supporting this amendment. At this time, I would like to yield the floor to Senator Merkley. Mr. McCAIN addressed the Chair. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona. Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, just briefly, I would ask the indulgence of the Senator from Oregon. I just would ask the Senator from South Carolina if he would finish the response, and I am sure it would only take him 2 or 3 minutes to finish.
