POLL: Can President Elevate Syrian Conflict Without Approval?

Published: 03 Sep, 2013

1 min read

President Barack Obama meets in the Situation Room with his national security advisors to discuss strategy in Syria, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Secretary of State John Kerry, on behalf of President Obama, is before Congress seeking approval to perform military actions in Syria. The President, however, has indicated that he may pursue military action even if he doesn’t get Congressional approval.

Under Article 8, Section 1 of the Constitution, “Congress shall have the power to declare war." Yet, the US has engaged in acts of war without Congressional approval dating back to the Quasi War of the John Adams administration all the way up to contemporary conflicts as recent as Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya.

The last time Congress actually declared war was World War II.

Outside of an immediate threat, should any president be allowed to authorize an act of war without Congressional approval? Answer our poll on the left of the page today!

Then, make sure to leave a comment to let us know why you voted the way you did:

California 2026 Independent Voter Survey

NEW POLL: California Governor’s Race Sees “None of the Above” Beat the Entire Democratic Field

A new statewide poll conducted by the Independent Voter Project finds California’s independent voters overwhelmingly support the state’s nonpartisan primary system and express broad dissatisfaction with the direction of state politics....

12 Jan, 2026

4 min read

This California Disposable Vape Ban Could Devastate The Legal Cannabis Industry Even Further

Good intentions often make for compelling policy. But in practice, consequences rarely fall in line as neatly as the ideas that inspired them....

12 Jan, 2026

6 min read

Missouri Republican Denny Hoskins Gerrymandering Manipulation

Missouri Republicans Admit They Skewed Ballot Language to Protect a Rigged Map

Missouri state officials have pulled out all the stops to prevent a veto referendum from getting on the ballot that would overturn a mid-cycle gerrymander. This includes writing a ballot summary that makes it sound like the veto referendum is trying to protect gerrymandering in the state....

13 Jan, 2026

4 min read

POLL: Can President Elevate Syrian Conflict Without Approval?

You Might Also Like