Thread by @ChrisMurphyCT

1/ A THREAD on why Congress needs to take back its constitutional national security powers and how the sweeping bipartisan bill I introduced yesterday with @SenSanders and @SenMikeLee will get this done.

2/ Our Founding Fathers envisioned a system where Congress and the executive branch shared power over our national security.

They wanted to ensure that the American people would have a say when it came time to make consequential decisions like sending our men and women to war.

3/ But over the years, Republican and Democratic presidents have gotten far too comfortable going to war without congressional authorization, declaring vague “national emergencies," and exporting massive amounts of weapons all over the world.

4/ At the same time, Congress has often willingly given up its power to the executive branch. That has to change.

Here's exactly how the National Security Powers Act would reset this power imbalance:

5/ MILITARY FORCE: Our legislation would require that any authorization for the use of force abroad be bound by specific objectives, geographic limits and a two-year sunset.

No more endless wars.

6/ ARMS EXPORTS: Right now, we're sending billions of dollars in lethal weapons to other countries – with little to no congressional oversight. But under this proposal, Congress would have to approve the most controversial arms sales.

7/ EMERGENCY POWERS: There are 39 ongoing national “emergencies.” Many are legitimate, but there are tons of examples of abuse – like when Trump tried to take money from troops to build a border wall without congressional consent.

It's time to rein in this unilateral authority.

8/ Yes, the commander-in-chief must always have the right to defend the U.S. and our armed forces under immediate threat of attack.

But Congress - on behalf of the American public - needs to reclaim its power over matters of war and national security.