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Senator Tim Kaine discusses war powers during a Public Square forum


Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) spoke during a Richmond Times Dispatch Public Square forum on Tuesday of this week where he addressed several issues: specifically how, when, and where America's military power is called into action.

Kaine admitted he is not an expert on the subject, telling the crowd he "is a lay person" who happens to be "passionate" about the matter (since 2002) who wanted to address the law surrounding it, its history, the current problem , and "the fix".

Congress has the power to declare war, while a U.S. president must consult with Congress before deploying U.S. military into hostile territories.

"The issue", explains Kaine, "is the role of the president and Congress in doing what is the hardest thing, which is to initiate military action."

Recently, in September, President Obama signed two letters advising Congress with regard to beginning military 'discrete' military operations in both Syria and Iraq.

The Public Square session, the 52nd of its installments, concluded with an audience Q&A with the senator.  The event was moderated by Tom Silvestri, president and publisher of the Richmond Times Dispatch.



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