While Defense Secretary Ash Carter did not use these words, the implications of his testimony before a Congressional committee reflected this long-standing fact. “We’re at war,” Carter informed the House committee. There was a time when it was considered to be Congress’ authority to make declarations of war. My understanding of history tells me that the last time Congress made a formal declaration of war was on June 5, 1942, with Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania as the designated militaristic threats to America. Since the end of World War II, the United States has been at peace with everyone, right?  Right?  But now, Congress does not inform the executive branch of its determination to declare war against another nation (as Article I, Sect. 8 of the Constitution provides). The President makes such a decision, and sends one of his underlings over to Congress to inform that body that “we’re at war.”

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