Modern Politics vs. the Constitution: A Struggle for Relevance

Chairman Henry Hyde states that the Constitution is “Inappropriate and anachronistic.”

"There are things in the Constitution that have been overtaken by events (Did I miss an amendment?) by time. Declaration of war is one of them. There are things no longer relevant to modern society (Like the Constitution?). Why declare war if you don't have to? (Good point) We are saying to the President, use your judgment. So, to demand that we declare war is to strengthen something to death. You have got a hammerlock on this situation, and it is not called for. Inappropriate, anachronistic, it isn't done anymore." --Chairman Henry Hyde, 10/3/2002, in a session of House of Representatives, during hearing on H.J. Res. 114, "AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ," discussing Ron Paul's motion to declare war.

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