Should congressional approval be required for all or most military actions?

[Silent Hunter]

In general, yes.

The only time where it might differ is if the US is actually being attacked, but even then I would expect/hope that Congress gives permission.

Pre-emptive counter terrorist operations as well, but Congressional leaders should be notified ASAP and a report given if need be.

[Frodo]

Anyways, were we not in so bitterly partisan an era as this, I would definitely prefer that the President seek authorization of military force in any and all military actions from Congress. 

[ElectionsGuy]

Yes, for almost all actions except some minor activity. I don't know why this president thought he had the power to do what he wants with only his administration and without Congress. I'm glad he's actually going through with this and asking Congress first.

[barfbag]

Yes, for almost all actions except some minor activity. I don't know why this president thought he had the power to do what he wants with only his administration and without Congress. I'm glad he's actually going through with this and asking Congress first.

He said Bush didn't have authority without congressional approval and then thought because he was president, it meant he had the power to do it. What a genius!

[Lief 🗽]

Right, so going by the constitution, the president should be able to command the armed forces to do whatever he wants. If congress doesn't like it, they're free to stop paying the soldiers and providing them with guns and bullets.

It's not self evident at all that the founders thought what you think they did. The congress gets to control the funding of the army, but once that army is funded, the president decides what to do with it.

Except that's only happened maybe once in American history, and it wasn't the President who took a hit for it.

So? This is how the government is structured; public opinion is just as much a check and balance on the powers of each branch as the other branches are.

[barfbag]

Right, so going by the constitution, the president should be able to command the armed forces to do whatever he wants. If congress doesn't like it, they're free to stop paying the soldiers and providing them with guns and bullets.

It's not self evident at all that the founders thought what you think they did. The congress gets to control the funding of the army, but once that army is funded, the president decides what to do with it.

Except that's only happened maybe once in American history, and it wasn't the President who took a hit for it.

So? This is how the government is structured; public opinion is just as much a check and balance on the powers of each branch as the other branches are.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic, but public opinion isn't the 4th branch of government. The only time it matters is at the ballot box.