Several lawmakers on Capitol Hill are questioning the president's legal authority to launch a retaliatory strike on Syria for their use of poison gas on civilians. The president's authority to use force in any situation without direct congressional authorization has been an issue since the Vietnam War.  Congress passed the War Powers Act in 1973, and it is drawn extremely broadly, giving the president vast authority to carry out military operations overseas for 90 days without seeking congressional approval.  But the conditions under which the president can act are fairly specific.  He can act only in response to an attack or if there is an imminent threat.  The expected Syria operation being planned meets neither of those criteria.  But Syria represents an example of the extreme limitations of the War Powers Act.  NPR: Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who has become a leading voice advocating for Congress'...(Read Full Post)