Senate Votes to Repeal Gulf of Tonkin Resolution (June 24, 1970)

Overview

• On June 24, 1970, the U.S. Senate voted 81 to 10 to repeal the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.
• The repeal was an amendment to the Foreign Military Sales Act, proposed by Senator Robert Dole (R-Kansas).

Background of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

• The resolution was passed in August 1964 following the Tonkin Gulf incident where North Vietnamese torpedo boats allegedly attacked U.S. destroyers.
• President Lyndon B. Johnson used the resolution to gain congressional approval to use military force in Southeast Asia.
• It provided the president with broad powers to conduct military operations without a formal declaration of war.

Initial Impact and Controversy

• The resolution was passed with overwhelming support, 82 to 2 in the Senate and unanimously in the House.
• It became the legal basis for the Johnson administration's military actions during the Vietnam War.
• Over time, it became controversial as it was seen as enabling an escalation of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Repeal and Limiting Presidential Powers

• The repeal aimed to limit the president's authority to wage war without explicit congressional consent.
• The Nixon administration claimed neutrality on the repeal vote, asserting that its military actions were based on the president's constitutional powers as commander-in-chief.

Context and Significance

• The repeal reflected growing congressional and public disillusionment with the Vietnam War.
• It marked a shift towards reasserting congressional control over military engagements.

Additional Historical Context

• Vietnam War Timeline: Covered various aspects of the war and its impact on soldiers.
• Other Historical Events on June 24:
  • King Philip's War begins (1675)
  • Formation of the first Masonic Grand Lodge in London (1717)
  • Napoleon's invasion of Russia (1812)
  • Soviet blockade of West Berlin (1948)
  • UpStairs Lounge arson attack in New Orleans (1973)

Sources

• The information was compiled by HISTORY.com Editors and published by A&E Television Networks.
• The original article was published on November 16, 2009, and last updated on February 18, 2025.

Further Reading

• For more insights into U.S. military history and the Vietnam War, visit HISTORY.com.