dr. feaver, mr. mckeon for joining us today and for sitting through the business meeting over the last 15 minutes. a number of members on both sides of the aisle of this on and off the committee have raised questions about the executive's authorities with respect to war making. and the use of nuclear weapons and from a diplomatic perspective entering into and terminating

dr. feaver, what was your last admonition to me? >> it was not an admonition, but a suggestion, sir. >> i took it as an admonition, but -- >> there have been many questions about what would be the legal authority for u.s. military action on north korea, particularly with regards to nuclear weapons. and while it would certainly be politically advisable that the president go to congress to get new authorization for any new hostilities, it's at least possible, and i'm not a lawyer, so i'm suggesting that lawyers be consulted on what is the legal basis that is already existing because of prior u.n. security council resolutions that authorized the first korean war, which is not over. it's just in a ceasefire, and subsequent resolutions involving north korea's nuclear program. >> thank you. >> if i could comment on senae r yor kaine's issue, these acommander not shrinking violets. i recall where a commander was looking down the road and saw he would be getting an order and wondered if that would be a legal order and he started asking ques

dr. feaver, mr. mckeon for joining us today and for sitting through the business meeting over the last 15 minutes. a number of members on both sides of the aisle of this on and off the committee have raised questions about the executive's authorities with respect to war making. and the use of nuclear weapons and from a diplomatic perspective entering into and terminating agreements with other countries. as i've mentioned publicly, this is one in a series of hearings where our committee will examine all of these issues, but today it's my hope that we will remain focused on the topic at hand, the authority and the process for the use of nuclear weapons. the congressional research service tells us this is the first time that the foreign relations committee of the senate or house has met on this topic since 1976, 41 years ago. making the decision go to war of any sort is a heavy responsibility for our nation's elected leaders, and the decision to use nuclear weapons is the most consequential of all. the