The War Powers Resolution: Intent Implementation and Impact

In 1973, the US Congress passed Public Law 98-103, otherwise know as the War Powers Resolution. It was the intent of the Congress at that time to reverse the trend of what they felt was the erosion of their powers delegated under the Constitution to declare war. Between 1974 and 1992, US forces were committed overseas at least thirty-nine times. With few exceptions, the War Powers Resolution played only a minor role in deciding those actions. In essence, the War Powers Resolution has not had any substantial impact on the decision to use force. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the intent of the War Powers Resolution, how it has been implemented since it was passed in 1973, and what impact it has had on the struggle between the Executive and Legislative branches in deciding the issue of war and peace for the United States.