What is the War Powers Act of 1973?

Answer 1

The War Powers Act of 1973 is a federal law that regulates the President's power to engage in military action overseas. It requires the President to consult with Congress before committing U.S. troops to an armed conflict and mandates that the President obtain congressional approval for military action that lasts longer than 60 days. The act also requires the President to report to Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and to provide regular reports on the status of military operations. The War Powers Act was passed in response to the Vietnam War and has been used to limit presidential authority in military conflicts such as the Gulf War, Iraq War, and military operations in Libya.