Sweeping, bipartisan legislation introduced on Sept. 29 by U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer (R-MI) would reassert congressional authority over specific national security matters.
“Allowing administration after administration — presidents from both sides of the aisle — to supersede Congress’ authority over matters of war and peace is a dereliction of congressional responsibility,” said Rep. Meijer. “Congress must reassert its role in national security decisions, especially those that impact our service members.”
The National Security Reforms and Accountability Act, H.R. 5410, which Rep. Meijer cosponsored with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), has three parts — war powers reform, arms export reform, and national emergencies reform — unified by a set of rules and procedures that reassert congressional prerogatives, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.
In each case, the president would be required to consult congressional leaders and obtain congressional authorization before exercising the powers in question, the summary says, noting that congressional authorizations would have to meet specific requirements, including an automatic sunset.
“The National Security Reforms and Accountability Act will put Congress back in the driver’s seat so we can deliver on our duty to the American people as it is laid out by the Constitution,” Rep. Meijer said. “I’m proud to help lead this important effort in the House.”
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) also joined Rep. Meijer as an original cosponsor of H.R. 5410, which is similar to bipartisan legislation, the National Security Powers Act of 2021, S. 2391, introduced on July 20 by U.S. Sens. Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Mike Lee (R-UT) to provide for clarification and limitations regarding the exercise of national security powers.
The bills are not identical; H.R. 5410 includes international law provisions in the war powers and arms sales titles and does not prescribe special procedures for joint resolutions of approval for arms sales, according to Rep. Meijer’s staff.