War Powers Resolution

From dKosopedia

The War Powers Act of 1973 (Public Law 93-148) limits the power of the U.S. President to wage war without the approval of the U.S. Congress. Also referred to as the War Powers Resolution (Sec. 1), the law was an attempt to restore constituional balance to the realtionship between the executive and legislative branches by requiring the President to seek Congressional approval within sixty days of using military force. The legislation became law on November 6, 1973 when Congress overrode Nixon's veto.

Original Conception

The law was conceived as the War Powers Act of 1972, which was written by Republican Senator Jacob Javits and hawkish Democratic Senator John Stennis. Although a response to the war in Vietnam the law was not intended to apply to the on-going conflict.

References

• Robert Mann, 2001. Grand Delusion: America's Descent Into Vietnam. Basic Books. ISBN 0465043690. Pp. 696-698, 717-718.