Question

the excerpt below is from a joint resolution that congress passed in 1964.
congress approves and supports the determination of the president, as commander in chief, to take all necessary measure
ned attack against the forces of the united states and to prevent further aggression. . . . this resolution shall expire when
all determine that the peace and security of the area is reasonably assured.
source: united states statutes at large, volume 78, 88th congress, 2nd session/public domain
did many people regard the adoption of this resolution as a mistake at that time?
the resolution increased resistance to the draft and threatened to overextend the military.
the resolution accelerated the arms race and threatened to strain the federal budget.
the legislative branch deliberately usurped foreign policy from the executive branch.
the legislative branch willingly ceded constitutional power to the executive branch.

Explanation:

The resolution in question is the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (1964). It gave the President broad military powers in Vietnam. The key issue was the legislative branch (Congress) ceding its constitutional war - making power (or significant foreign policy/military authority) to the executive branch (President). Let's analyze the options:

• Option 1: Resistance to the draft and overextending the military were issues later, not the main reason for seeing the resolution as a mistake initially.
• Option 2: The arms race and federal budget strain were not the primary concerns related to this resolution's adoption.
• Option 3: Congress did not usurp power from the executive; instead, it gave power to the executive.
• Option 4: The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution allowed the President to take "all necessary measures" in Vietnam, essentially ceding congressional war - making and foreign policy power to the executive. This was seen as a mistake because it undermined the system of checks and balances, as Congress gave away its constitutional authority to the executive branch.

Answer:

D. legislative branch willingly ceded constitutional power to the executive branch.