Capt Walter Miller 1174303 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Senator Kaine:<br /><br />“The British Parliament, the French National Assembly, the German Bundesrat and even the Duma in Russia, for God’s sake, are having a debate and having a vote,” the Democratic senator from Virginia said in an extended interview. <br /><br />“The spotlight is getting bigger and bigger on congressional inaction and indifference.”<br /><br />A week ago Sunday, President Obama used his Oval Office address to call on the legislative branch to “vote to authorize the continued use of military force against these terrorists.” While some members signaled support, the latest push is basically dead on arrival.<br /><br />Sitting on a yellow couch in his office, the former governor ticked off events that should have prompted lawmakers to, well, get off their couches: the beheadings of American hostages, the downing of a Russian airliner over Egypt, the coordinated attacks in Paris that killed a U.S. student and now the massacre in San Bernardino.<br /><br />Instead, he fumed, “It’s been crickets over here. And, in the House, even more so.”<br /><br />This has been Kaine’s crusade for 18 months now. Starting with a June 2014 op-ed in The Post—two months before Obama started bombing ISIS targets in Iraq—he’s pressed for Congress to assert its Constitutional prerogative and define the scope of the mission. This June, Kaine and Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) proposed language that would authorize the use of force for three years with certain limitations. They have not even gotten a hearing in committee.<br /><br />Still burned by the messiness of the 2013 deliberations about intervening in Syria, congressional leaders are eager to avoid a vote that could haunt members facing tough reelection campaigns. They say a debate is moot because the far-reaching war authorization that passed Congress soon after the Sept. 11 attacks gives Obama the justification he needs to let them off the hook. Hawks on the right worry about tying the president’s hands with limitations, such as restricting the number of ground troops. Doves on the left worry about giving a blank check for another open-ended conflict in the Middle East.<br /><br />“They want to criticize the president but if they can avoid voting to authorize or stop him … then they feel they can be completely scot-free and they’re not going to be held accountable,” said Kaine." -WashPo<br /><br />Well, just another GOP attack on the country itself. <br /><br />Nothing to see, move along.<br /><br />Walt 2015-12-14T10:19:53-05:00 Capt Walter Miller 1174303

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Senator Kaine:<br /><br />“The British Parliament, the French National Assembly, the German Bundesrat and even the Duma in Russia, for God’s sake, are having a debate and having a vote,” the Democratic senator from Virginia said in an extended interview. <br /><br />“The spotlight is getting bigger and bigger on congressional inaction and indifference.”<br /><br />A week ago Sunday, President Obama used his Oval Office address to call on the legislative branch to “vote to authorize the continued use of military force against these terrorists.” While some members signaled support, the latest push is basically dead on arrival.<br /><br />Sitting on a yellow couch in his office, the former governor ticked off events that should have prompted lawmakers to, well, get off their couches: the beheadings of American hostages, the downing of a Russian airliner over Egypt, the coordinated attacks in Paris that killed a U.S. student and now the massacre in San Bernardino.<br /><br />Instead, he fumed, “It’s been crickets over here. And, in the House, even more so.”<br /><br />This has been Kaine’s crusade for 18 months now. Starting with a June 2014 op-ed in The Post—two months before Obama started bombing ISIS targets in Iraq—he’s pressed for Congress to assert its Constitutional prerogative and define the scope of the mission. This June, Kaine and Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) proposed language that would authorize the use of force for three years with certain limitations. They have not even gotten a hearing in committee.<br /><br />Still burned by the messiness of the 2013 deliberations about intervening in Syria, congressional leaders are eager to avoid a vote that could haunt members facing tough reelection campaigns. They say a debate is moot because the far-reaching war authorization that passed Congress soon after the Sept. 11 attacks gives Obama the justification he needs to let them off the hook. Hawks on the right worry about tying the president’s hands with limitations, such as restricting the number of ground troops. Doves on the left worry about giving a blank check for another open-ended conflict in the Middle East.<br /><br />“They want to criticize the president but if they can avoid voting to authorize or stop him … then they feel they can be completely scot-free and they’re not going to be held accountable,” said Kaine." -WashPo<br /><br />Well, just another GOP attack on the country itself. <br /><br />Nothing to see, move along.<br /><br />Walt

2015-12-14T10:19:53-05:00 2015-12-14T10:19:53-05:00 MSgt Curtis Ellis 1174344

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Frustrating... It's both scary and sad, isn't it?

2015-12-14T10:34:58-05:00 2015-12-14T10:34:58-05:00 Capt Walter Miller 1174399

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I have said this before. The Legislative Article is #1 in the Constitution because the intent of the Framers was that the Congress have the War Power. That is why revenue bills must originate in the House. <br /><br />The GOP controlled House is derelict in this, as it is in so much, but they hope you are dumb enough to blame the Democrats.<br /><br />Walt

2015-12-14T10:55:53-05:00 2015-12-14T10:55:53-05:00 SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 1174524

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The job description for Congresspeople has changed from representing their constituents, to pacifying and mollifying the great majority of the American populace in between election cycles.<br /><br />When you, as a Congressperson base your lawmaking powers on how it will benefit or harm your chances to get re-elected, you need to pack it in and go home. But Congress has become a career that affords one a lifetime of full pay and benefits for only four (4) years of service. I wish we, the US Military could get THAT deal!

2015-12-14T11:41:18-05:00 2015-12-14T11:41:18-05:00 PO3 Private RallyPoint Member 1174631

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>so ... what do you want then?? :) (this is a loaded question. lol)

2015-12-14T12:16:47-05:00 2015-12-14T12:16:47-05:00 SCPO Joshua I 1175533

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I'm unclear on why everything with you is the fault of the GOP. <br /><br />The entire political system is a reflection of the people they serve. Most of it, democrat or republican, is corrupt. Most of them are doing what the people they represent want, whether you like it or not. That's why they exist. <br /><br />I feel like I shouldn't have to lecture on the purpose of the legislative branch, but it does not exist to be a lapdog of the executive as you seem to believe (but only of course when the exec is someone you like).

2015-12-14T18:35:12-05:00 2015-12-14T18:35:12-05:00 2015-12-14T10:19:53-05:00