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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Emmer yesterday introduced H.J.Res 73, a joint resolution declaring a state of war against the Islamic State.

“The Islamic State has declared war against America and now we have an obligation to act,” said Emmer. “The wolf of tyranny is at our doorstep and now is the time to euthanize this evil before it enters America’s home. Congress must exercise its constitutional authority through this Declaration of War and give the President the power to utilize all facets of our military and diplomatic strength to successfully defeat our enemies. It is time that we speak with one voice and unite as a country against the Islamic State.”

Article 1, Section 8, Clause 11 of the United States Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war. Congress has exercised this constitutional authority on five different occasions: the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War in 1846, the Spanish-American War in 1898, declarations against Germany and Austria-Hungary for World War I in 1917, and declarations against Nazi Germany, her allies, and Imperial Japan for World War II in 1941 and 1942.

Click here to read the full text of H.J. Res 73.                     

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