Question

In 1994, President Clinton deployed troops to Haiti, without congressional approval, to fight against atrocities perpetrated by Haiti's former leaders and to oversee a transition to democracy. Use the scenario and your knowledge of U.S. Government and Politics to respond to parts A, B, and C. A. Describe a power of the president used in the scenario. B. Explain one way in which the War Powers Resolution might affect the scenario. C. Explain one reason why it is difficult for Congress to check the power of the president to commit troops despite the War Powers Resolution.

Answer 1

The correct answers to these open questions are the following.

A. Describe a power of the president used in the scenario.

The power that President Bill Clinton used in this scenario is his power as Commander-in-Chief- of the US military forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Gaurd Cost).

B. Explain one way in which the War Powers Resolution might affect the scenario.

The War Powers Resolution might affect the above-mentioned scenario in that this act forces the President to inform Congress for a declaration of war if he wants to send military forces to a specific region. This legislation requires the President to inform Congress 48 hours before sending the military abroad.

C. Explain one reason why it is difficult for Congress to check the power of the president to commit troops despite the War Powers Resolution.

It could be difficult for Congress to check the power of the President because the executive could argue that this was not a declaration of war, but just a way to help Haiti by sending some military forces to fight against atrocities perpetrated by Haiti's former leaders and to oversee a transition to democracy. So he was not taking to declare war.