Committee Okays Bill to Challenge Undeclared War

On Tuesday, a bill challenging the President's authority to wage undeclared war was favorably reported to the Massachusetts legislature by the state judiciary committee.

Senator Joseph Ward ?? chairman of the judiciary committee, said that an "overwhelming majority" of the committee members had voted for the bill.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Rep. James ?? the sponsor of the measure, stated that he was confident that the bill would pass the legislature. ?? Speaker ?? Bartley has assured me of his full and active support in achieving its passage," he said.

Challenge Constitutionality

If the bill becomes law any Massachusetts citizen who is ?? to serve in a combat zone could serve notice to the state attorney general. The attorney general would then be able to appeal the order to the U.S. Supreme Court, ?? a decision on the con-?? of the President's action in Southeast Asia without a Declaration of War by Congress.

The bill will be introduced on the House floor today and if it gains a majority, it will go to the Senate later this week.