2010 GOP Nominee Ilario Pantano (NC-7) Applauds Rep. Walter Jones' (NC-3) Bill in Defense of U.S. Constitution. Pantano Demands the President Seek Congressional War Authorization or Face Impeachment.

Pantano, a Marine Veteran of Two Wars, Rejects Obama Administration Claim That “International Approval” Trumps the United States Constitution When it Comes to the Declaration of War.

Wilmington, NC: Today, author, businessman, and Marine veteran of two wars Ilario Pantano called on Congress to pass a resolution introduced by Rep. Walter Jones (NC-3) expressing the sense of Congress that any president of the United States must seek Congressional authorization before going to war, except in the case of an actual or immediate threat to the country.

Last week, Obama Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told Republican Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama that the Obama Administration was under no obligation to follow the Constitutional requirement that the President seek the authorization of Congress before going to war. In fact, Panetta said the approval of the United Nations or another international body was more important than that of the United States Congress.

Pantano was quoted as follows: “Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution clearly grants to Congress the sole authority to declare war. If the Obama administration chooses to invade Syria without the explicit authorization of Congress, they are – once again – clearly and willfully violating the Constitution of the United States. This is beyond inexcusable, and Congress must hold them accountable. Our Constitution needs to be defended before the people of Syria do.”

Pantano continued: “This isn’t only about President Obama’s abuse of power. The Constitution applies to Republicans, too, and it’s about time our elected leaders are held to account.”

Pantano enlisted in the Marine Corps at 17 and fought in the first Gulf War. After witnessing the attacks of September 11, 2001, Pantano left his job as a media executive and rejoined the Marines as an officer. Pantano led a platoon of Infantry Marines in Falluja, Iraq in 2004 and wrote a book about his experiences published by Simon & Schuster: "WARLORD: Broken By War. Saved By Grace."

For more information, go to www.PantanoForCongress.com