War Powers Resolution: A Brief Summary of Pro and Con Arguments (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
June 5, 1996 |
| Report Number |
96-494 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Richard Grimmett, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The War Powers Resolution, Public Law 93-148, was enacted by Congress over the veto of
President
Nixon on November 7, 1973. Through more than twenty-two years of experience, the resolution has
remained a focus of controversy on the war powers of the President and Congress under the
Constitution. (1) Major areas of controversy include the constitutionality of
some provisions, the proper
roles for the President and Congress in entering armed conflicts, the effect on U.S. military
operations, and the effectiveness of the resolution in achieving its purpose of assuring that the
collective judgment of the Congress and the President apply to the introduction of U.S. Armed Forces
into hostilities. In the post-Cold War era, the relationship of the War Powers Resolution to U.S.
participation in military/peacekeeping activities under the auspices of the United Nations, as well as
peacekeeping operations in general have become an issue. This report lists major arguments for and
against the resolution. This report will not be updated.
1. Â For additional information, see: The War Powers
Resolution: Twenty-Two Years of Experience. May 24,
1996. CRS Report 96-476 F. 58 p.; War Powers Resolution: Presidential Compliance. CRS Issue Brief IB81050; updated periodically. War Powers: Bibliography-in-Brief, 1988-1992. CRS Report 93-675
L.
