Unit Activity_ Branches and Levels of Government
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Dec 6, 2023
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11/13/23, 9:30 AM
Unit Activity: Constitutionality of the War Powers Act
https://f2.app.edmentum.com/courseware-delivery//ua/49828717/45360313/aHR0cHM6Ly9mMi5hcHAuZWRtZW50dW0uY29tL2xlYXJuZXItdWkvc2Vj…
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Task 2
Constitutionality of the War Powers Act
While each branch of government performs valuable and interesting roles on its own, fascinating results
emerge when the branches interact with each other. You learned about the constitutional controversy around
the War Powers Act in this unit. Congress passed this act as a response to a widespread perception that
presidents had abused their power during the Vietnam War.
Since that time, many have questioned the constitutionality of the War Powers Act, including every president up
through George W. Bush. Those for it argue that Congress has the right to oversee foreign policy matters. Those
against it believe it infringes on the president’s constitutional role as commander in chief of the armed forces.
In this task, you will analyze the constitutionality of a particular power of a branch of the government, using the
War Powers Act as your example.
Part A
Imagine that the president has deployed forces to intervene in a civil war in the Middle East. The purpose of the
deployment is to protect the civilians in a large city from an imminent attack by their own government. The
president claims that this urgent use of military force falls within the powers of the presidency as commander in
chief, but does not reach the level of involvement that requires Congress to declare war. The president does not
formally consult with Congress before ordering military action and does not provide a report to Congress in a
timely manner.
In response, the House Armed Services Committee declares that the president violated the War Powers Act,
demands that the president remove the troops, and formally brings the case to the Supreme Court to force
action from the president.
You are a justice on the Supreme Court preparing to hear the case. Start by writing down your initial reactions
to the situation. Based on what you know of the War Powers Act, which branch appears to be in the right? What
questions would you ask during oral arguments to try to get each side to explain its point of view?
11/13/23, 9:30 AM
Unit Activity: Constitutionality of the War Powers Act
https://f2.app.edmentum.com/courseware-delivery//ua/49828717/45360313/aHR0cHM6Ly9mMi5hcHAuZWRtZW50dW0uY29tL2xlYXJuZXItdWkvc2Vj…
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Answer:
I feel like the president should have told Congress. He should have discussed the options with them before
deploying troops. Also the House Armed Services Committee should have discussed things in a better way
rather than demanding things from the president. Congress seems to be in the right since the War Powers
Act requires the president to let Congress know within two days of sending US troops overseas. The
president didn’t talk with them and then he didn’t let them know very soon after.
Space used (includes formatting): 537 / 15000
Part B
Once oral arguments are concluded and a verdict has been reached, you are asked to write the opinion for one
group of Supreme Court justices: you can choose which side of the argument to support. Review this
information about
the power to declare war .
Using this information and the scenario discussed above, write a 250-word essay declaring whether or not the
War Powers Act works within the constitutional authority of Congress. Cite evidence to support your claim, and
use examples from the scenario to illustrate your points. Review the Process section below for help researching
and writing your essay.
Process
Follow the steps below to complete your essay, and use the links provided to assist with your research and
writing.
1.
Gather sources.
Begin by gathering additional sources to build your argument. Make sure that you
examine your sources for accuracy. For each source, consider these questions:
Who authored the document?
What is the purpose of the document?
When was the document written?
How will this document help your argument?
2.
Develop your argument.
Now that you have analyzed sources to use as evidence, revisit the essay
question. Then develop your argument with these factors in mind:
Your argument should be well supported by your research.
Match the evidence in your sources to the points in your argument.
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