Jones and McGovern Start Constitutional War Study Group

Press Release

This month, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and Congressman Jim McGovern (MA-2) started a Constitutional War Study Group to focus on the history, philosophy, legal authority and political need behind Congress' constitutional war powers. The Constitutional War Study Group is open to all members of Congress and will hold regular meetings with academic, legal, and military scholars who will brief the group on how Congress can reclaim its constitutional authority and legislative process for debating and declaring war. On Friday, May 1, Congressmen Jones and McGovern will speak about the Constitutional War Study Group on C-SPAN's Washington Journal from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM EST.

"For decades, Congress has slipped into a dangerous and unconstitutional pattern of failing to carry out its responsibilities and has ceded its authority to the executive branch in matters of war. This is not what the Founding Fathers intended," said Congressman Jones. "With the threat of ISIS and our never-ending wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is absolutely necessary that Congress reclaims its constitutional authority to debate and declare war. It is a moral responsibility of Congress to do so. I hope the Constitutional War Study Group will foster a greater urgency in Congress to address matters of war."

"Congress must uphold its constitutional duty to authorize military action. The lack of open debate and discussion in Congress around recent military actions in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan have made it clear that it is time to re-examine the role and responsibilities that we, as Members of Congress, have in committing our country to war," said Congressman McGovern. "It is my hope that the Constitutional War Study Group will help foster dialogue among Members and increase awareness around the issues pertaining to U.S. engagement in armed conflicts around the world. At a minimum, we owe it to our servicemen and women and their families to carry out our Constitutional duties as responsibly and faithfully as they carry out theirs."

In July 2014, Congressman Jones introduced H. Con. Res. 105 to prohibit the deployment of U.S. armed forces in a sustained combat role in Iraq without congressional authorization. The resolution passed with 370 votes.

In August 2014, Congressman Jones, Congressman McGovern, and Congresswoman Lee formed a bipartisan coalition to urge the House Foreign Relations Committee to draft an authorization regarding Iraq and Syria. They also urged Speaker Boehner to bring up the authorization for a debate and a vote before Congress recessed at the end of September.

In September 2014, Congressman Jones sent a letter to Speaker Boehner calling for a debate and a vote on an authorization to expand military force in Iraq and Syria when Congress reconvened in November.

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