Congress.gov
congress.gov › bill › 93rd-congress › house-joint-resolution › 542
H.J.Res.542 - 93rd Congress (1973-1974): War Powers Resolution | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
Provides that in the absence of a declaration of war by the Congress, in any case in which the Armed Forces of the United States are introduced in hostilities, or in situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, such use of the Armed Forces of the United States in hostilities pursuant to this Act shall be reported within 48 hours in writing by the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate, together with a full account of the circumstances under which such hostilities were initiated, the estimated scope and duration of such hostilities, and the constitutional and legislative authority under which the introduction of hostilities took place.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library
nixonlibrary.gov › news › war-powers-resolution-1973
War Powers Resolution of 1973 | Richard Nixon Museum and Library
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 (also known as the War Powers Act) "is a congressional resolution designed to limit the U.S.
Videos
What is the War Powers Act, and what does it mean for President Trump in Iran?
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May 15, 2025The War Powers Resolution of 1973 basically gives a President a free trial of war.
From the War Powers Resolution: “The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.” If Trump’s actions don’t fall into one of those three categories (and they don’t), then they are unconstitutional. “Other presidents did it too” doesn’t change that. Now I agree that Congress is very unlikely to do anything about it, and it’s unlikely that anyone else has standing to force the issue, but that doesn’t mean it’s legal. More on reddit.com
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June 23, 2025I'm trying to wrap my head around the War Powers Act of 1973. Namely: why was it needed? Doesn't the constitution itself specify that the president does not have the power to wage war without the consent of Congress?
Apologies if this goes against the rules of the subreddit, but after reading your question, it seems like you haven't even read the Wikipedia articles on either the 1941 act (which sunsetted itself six months after WWII) or the 1973 resolution . To answer the question, before 1973 there were conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and other places (e.g. the secret bombings in Cambodia) that were undertaken as "Police Actions". Congress wasn't happy that the President was committing the US to war and denying it by never saying the magic words "I declare war" (specifically for the 20-year Vietnam "Police Action"). So, in 1973, they asserted that they had to be in the loop if there were any troop deployments (notified with 48 hours) and war had to be declared if, indeed, we were going to war (forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days). This is not to say it's been effective or useful, but it's the answer to why they passed it - magic words. More on reddit.com
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July 7, 2021How did the War Powers Act of 1973 come about when it did and was it violated in the last century?
The constitution gives the president pretty broad leeway to act when he feels it's necessary to the defense of the country, there are also some loop holes in the resolution itself that allow it to be by passed. As far as I know it's never been challenged to the point where congress has actually used the resolution's power to order a conflict ended, the president has said no, and it's gone on to the supreme court. More on reddit.com
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November 10, 20191973 U.S. federal law limiting the power of the president to declare war
Factsheet
Long title Joint resolution concerning the war powers of Congress and the President.
Enacted by the 93rd United States Congress
Effective November 7, 1973
Long title Joint resolution concerning the war powers of Congress and the President.
Enacted by the 93rd United States Congress
Effective November 7, 1973
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › War_Powers_Resolution
War Powers Resolution - Wikipedia
5 days ago - The War Powers Resolution (also known as the War Powers Resolution of 1973 or the War Powers Act) (50 U.S.C. ch. 33) is a federal law intended to check the U.S. president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S.
Uncg
psc.uncg.edu › wp-content › uploads › 2016 › 09 › War-Powers-Act.pdf pdf
War Powers Act Public Law 93-148 93rd Congress, H. J. Res. 542
November 7, 1973. The House of Representatives having proceeded to reconsider the resolution (H. J. Res 542) entitled "Joint resolution concerning the war powers of Congress and the President", returned by the
Congress.gov
congress.gov › crs-product › R47603
War Powers Resolution: Expedited Procedures in the House and Senate | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
The War Powers Resolution (WPR), ... Nixon, establishes presidential reporting requirements and parliamentary procedures intended to reaffirm the constitutional role of Congress in committing the United States into armed conflict abroad...
U.S. House of Representatives
uscode.house.gov › view.xhtml
50 USC Ch. 33: WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
7, 1973, ... Any joint resolution or bill introduced in either House which requires the removal of United States Armed Forces engaged in hostilities outside the territory of the United States, its possessions and territories, without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization shall be considered in accordance with the procedures of section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976, except that any such resolution or bill shall be amendable.
Friends Committee On National Legislation
fcnl.org › updates › 2022-06 › war-powers-resolution-activist-guide
War Powers Resolution Activist Guide | Friends Committee On National Legislation
The War Powers Resolution of 1973, otherwise known as the War Powers Act, is a federal law intended to provide a framework for Congress’s check on presidential power to use military force.
Lawandsecurity
warpowers.lawandsecurity.org
War Powers Resolution Reporting Project
The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires Presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of sending U.S. armed forces into hostilities or certain other situations abroad, and to provide specific information about those deployments.
EBSCO
ebsco.com › research-starters › military-history-and-science › us-congress-overrides-presidential-veto-pass-war
U.S. Congress Overrides Presidential Veto to Pass the War Powers Act | Research Starters | EBSCO Research
The War Powers Act, enacted in 1973, was a significant legislative response aimed at curbing presidential power regarding military engagements without congressional approval. This act emerged from concerns about the expanding authority of the ...
Legal Information Institute
law.cornell.edu › lii › u.s. code › title 50 › chapter 33
50 U.S. Code Chapter 33 - WAR POWERS RESOLUTION | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
§ 1549. Report on and notice of changes made to the legal and policy frameworks for the United States’ use of military force and related national security operations
Case Western Reserve Law Review
scholarlycommons.law.case.edu › cgi › viewcontent.cgi pdf
The War Powers Resolution at 40: Still an Unconstitutional, ...
In fairness, by 1973 some of the more · junior legislators may have honestly believed that version of history, but Senator Jacob Javits—one of the most intelligent members of the · Senate—clearly knew better. Indeed, the irrelevance of the War Powers Resolution to the
Legal Information Institute
law.cornell.edu › lii › u.s. code › title 50 › chapter 33 › § 1541
50 U.S. Code § 1541 - Purpose and policy | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised ...
Encyclopedia Britannica
britannica.com › politics, law & government › law, crime & punishment
War Powers Act | Date, Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica
1 week ago - War Powers Act, law passed by the U.S. Congress on November 7, 1973, over the veto of Pres. Richard Nixon.
Fiveable
fiveable.me › all key terms › ap us history › war powers act
War Powers Act - (AP US History) - Vocab, Definition, Explanations | Fiveable
The War Powers Act, also known as the War Powers Resolution of 1973, is a federal law intended to limit the U.S. president's ability to engage in armed conflict without congressional approval. The act was a response to the Vietnam War, aiming to ensure that Congress has a greater role in decisions ...
Congress.gov
congress.gov › bill › 93rd-congress › senate-bill › 440
S.440 - 93rd Congress (1973-1974): War Powers Act | Congress.gov | Library of Congress
War Powers Act - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to fulfill the intent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of the Armed Forces of the United States in hostilities, or in situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, and to the continued use of such forces in hostilities.
Bill of Rights Institute
billofrightsinstitute.org › activities › case-study-presidential-war-powers
Presidential War Powers Case Study Activity | The Bill of Rights Institute
The War Powers Act of 1973 was passed by Congress to curb the president’s authority to engage U.S. military forces without congressional consent. This legislation was a reaction to President Nixon’s secret bombing of Cambodia during the Vietnam War, which was conducted without informing ...
The Hill
thehill.com › homenews › house › 5367102-speaker-johnson-war-powers-act
Mike Johnson says War Powers Act is unconstitutional
June 24, 2025 - Johnson has already rejected calls to stage a vote on a bipartisan war powers resolution in the wake of Trump’s decision to strike three Iranian nuclear facilities over the weekend, arguing that Congress’s input is unnecessary. On Tuesday, he took that opposition a long step forward, saying the War Powers Act — a 1973 law designed to limit a president’s authority to wage unilateral war — defies the Founder’s designs for the commander in chief.
NYTimes
nytimes.com › u.s. › politics
What Is the War Powers Resolution, and Why Is Trump’s Claim About It Misleading? - The New York Times
5 days ago - It is a set of statutes Congress enacted in 1973 — and tweaked in 1983 — in an effort to reclaim its constitutionally intended role of deciding whether the United States would go to war.
EBSCO
ebsco.com › research-starters › military-history-and-science › war-powers-act-1973
War Powers Act of 1973 | Research Starters | EBSCO Research
Specifically, the act, passed on November 7, 1973, over a veto by President Richard M. Nixon, established certain requirements for the president to meet and follow when acting to deploy military forces in a hostile environment.
Constitution Center
constitutioncenter.org › blog › does-the-president-need-congress-to-approve-military-actions-in-iran
Does the president need Congress to approve military actions in Iran? | Constitution Center
The War Powers Resolution, passed by Congress in 1973 over President Richard Nixon’s veto, sought to ensure that lawmakers have a role in approving armed conflicts involving the United States not formally declared as a war.