Ted Yoho: Obama Needs 'Coherent Strategy' in the Middle East

This week, U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho, R-Fla., voted to direct President Barack Obama to follow the War Powers Resolution and remove troops from Iraq and Syria. Yoho sits on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. 

“Under Article 1 of the Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war,” Yoho said on Wednesday. “Our founders knew that concentrating too much power in one branch of the government – especially the executive – would undermine our constitutional republic.

"The administration claims to have authority to engage in combat based on authorizations from over a decade ago,” Yoho added. “The commander in chief must develop a coherent strategy so that Congress can debate the mission of our Armed Services to defeat Islamic extremists. Along with the power of the purse, the power to declare war is perhaps the most important duty of the legislature. So we must selfishly defend our constitutional powers – as the framers intended – and not allow the executive to once again act unilaterally and bypass our authority.

"War is not something to be taken lightly. Not only does it take a major toll on our nation’s financial treasure, but the lives lost and injuries caused leave lasting effects that are felt for generations," Yoho said in conclusion. "I proudly represent thousands of veterans in my district and I cannot in good conscience send more young men and women into harm’s way without at least having this debate. We owe them that – and so much more.”