Esch Says House Likely To Oppose War Bill Veto

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. Marvin L. Esch, R-Ann Arbor, says there is a distinct possibility the House will vote to override President Nixon's veto of legislation limiting the power of the President to make war without approval of Congress. Esch said in a statement that "the vote will be close, but I am working with others in the House in a bipartisan effort to reclaim powers provided in the Gonstitution which reserves to Congress the right to declare war." Republicans and Democrats have joined in a bid to muster the two-thirds vote needed to override Nixon's veto of the bill which would require the President to report to Congress within 48 hours af ter commitment of armed forces i to foreign hostilities. The measure, approved by a 238-123 margin Oct. 12 would put a 60 day limit on a President's power to wage clared war without approval of Congress. An additional 30 days could be added on written certification from the President that the time is needed to protect withdrawing forces. The compromise bilí was just three votes shy of twothirds support when it passed the House. It provides that Congress can order a halt to military action within the I deadlines by passing a concurrent resolution which is not subject to a presidential veto. "There is a distinct possibility the House will vote to override the veto," said Esch. "Democrats and Republicans have a unique opportunity this week to reassert the Constitutional role of Congress in the war-making process and to corred the imbalance of powers that has developed within our government." The House canceled a. vote on whether to override Nixon's veto last Thursday because of the death of Rep. John P. Saylor. R-Pa. The measure is now scheduled for a vote on Wednesday. Esch. an original sponsor of war powers legislation. emphasized, "A vote to override President Nixon's veto of the war powers bilí should not be seen as a vote for or against the President. It transcends the current climate of crisis or nartisan politics. It is an opportunity for Congress to ■ ensure that the Uniled States will never again become involved in a military conflict without the wide public debate and without consent of Congress. "This legislation would not - in the Middle East confrontation - have prevented the President from putting U.S. troops on worldwide alert. The purpose of the bill is not to divest the President of his power. Rather, it seeks to insure that the collective judgment of both Congress and the President will be brought to bear on decisions involving commitment of U.S. armed f orces to hostilities. If ever again we enter a war, it will ' be with full national understanding and support. "By voting to override the veto, Congress can gain a grealer determination in the conduct of foreign affairs by reasserting its prerogatives as ! a coequal branch of government with the executive."