America's Foreign Policy Practice Ecam

The War Powers Resolution, enacted in 1973, aimed to limit the President's ability to engage in military actions without congressional approval. This legislation was a response to concerns stemming from the Vietnam War, where presidents had committed U.S. forces abroad without sufficient consultation with or permission from Congress.

The resolution requires the President to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying military forces and prohibits armed forces from remaining engaged for more than 60 days without congressional authorization or a declaration of war. This framework reflects an effort to restore the balance of power between Congress and the Executive Branch regarding decisions about war and military engagements. Thus, the War Powers Resolution serves primarily to check executive power in the context of military action, aligning with the goal of restricting unilateral presidential decisions related to warfare.