Do you ever think…I sure am grateful for the experts at CRS who are regularly providing top notch, comprehensive, accurate, timely subject matter specific research on demand to Congress (that is still not available directly to the public). Every week as we are reading (and/or listening to) news pertaining to critical issues that impact our government, society, and our future, CRS is publishing reports that provide critical insight, facts and information on topics that range from: the courts, to health care, energy and the environment, domestic terrorism, social services, defense, government documents, natural disasters, food and drug issues, and the list goes on and on. Thank you to the experts at CRS (that include librarians and attorneys) for the wealth of knowledge they provide to the Hill, and to the organizations such as FAS who have made these documents public, so that we may collectively benefit and gain a greater understanding of current affairs, law, legislation, and history.  And now, please see the following brief sidebar, memorandum, and primer on an issue which is very much in the news, and on our minds:

• Can Congress Limit the President’s Power to Launch Nuclear Weapons?
• CRS Memorandum – Legislation Limiting the President’s Power to Use Nuclear Weapons: Separation of Powers Implications
• Defense Primer: President’s Constitutional Authority with Regard to the Armed Forces, CRS In Focus.
• See also Senator Markey has introduced the Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act with Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33) to limit any American president’s ability to conduct a nuclear first strike without prior authorization from Congress.