Why Bush Needs Congress on New Iraq War Strategy

Speculation is that President Bush's new strategy on Iraq will include an increase in the number of U.S. troops committed to the conflict. Speculation is also that he will at least consult with Congress on the plan, maybe even seeks its approval. Thus the question: As Commander in Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, does President Bush really need the approval of Congress to send more troops to Iraq? Constitutionally no. Realistically, yes.

While declaring a war requires an act of Congress, the president's power to unilaterally apply military strategies in the waging of that war is fairly absolute under the Constitution. As early as 1850, Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, writing for the Supreme Court, said: ''As commander-in-chief, he [the president] is authorized to direct the movements of the naval and military forces placed by law at his command, and to employ them in the manner he may deem most effectual to harass and conquer and subdue the enemy."

So why would President Bush seek Congress' approval of a troop level increase? The answer is something we rarely discuss here -- politics.

One man's Congress, another man's roadblock
For the remainder of his administration, President Bush and his fellow Republicans find themselves needing the cooperation of a Democratic-controlled Congress. In order for Bush, or Republicans in Congress to win approval of any of their programs or projects, they must establish a working bipartisan relationship with the Democratic majority. Snubbing Congress in enacting a new Iraq military strategy would not be a good start.

As outgoing chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana said in a FOX news story, bypassing Congress on Iraq would bring Bush nothing but "a lot of hearings, a lot of study, a lot of criticism," but precious little cooperation.

Presidents command the troops, but Congress pays them
While the president has the constitutional power to wage a war, Congress has the constitutional power to pay for it -- or not. In December, President Bush stated that he would be asking Congress to appropriate another $100 billion to $125 billion for the war in Iraq. Already questioning further Iraq war spending, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pennsylvania, 12th), a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, plans to recommend that his subcommittee begin hearings on the conduct of the Iraq war, including "accountability, military readiness and intelligence oversight."

In his nationwide radio address of January 6, President Bush listed several areas in which he and Congress could agree. Those areas, however, did not include Iraq.

In 2002, President Bush won the approval of Congress to start the war in Iraq. In 2007, he needs its approval continue it.

Also See:
Congress Authorizes Military Force in Iraq
Resolution Authorizing the Iraq War
Bush Lists Areas of Agreement with New Congress
Bush to Seek Another $100 Billion for Iraq War (US Liberals)
Who Will the President Listen to on Iraq? (US Liberals)