Essay On War Powers Act Of 1973

War Powers Act of 1973
In 1973, during the height of the Vietnam War, president vetoed the War Powers Resolution. Congress then answered back by overriding the veto to put in place the new legislation called the War Powers Act of 1973. This act set in motion congress’ foot hold in any future military undertakings by requiring the president to have all the information received via the United Nations or North Atlantic Treaty Organization to be reviewed prior to authorization of funds or movement of forces into hostile environments. Establishing the War Powers Act of 1973 ensures that war powers are divided, that Congress and the president have the responsibility to ensure the upmost security of our nation, and adds growth to presidential power.

Intent of Congress
The intent of congress in the War Powers Act of 1973 was to ensure the president of the United States did not send our military troops into hostilities without the proper approval and funding. This allows for thorough analysis of the current environment in regards to future operations and also ensures that troops are trained properly with the necessary equipment to go to war. Under the Constitution was powers are divided; the president can wage war and congress has the responsibility to declare wars and fund them. Although war powers are divided, the War Powers Act of 1973 requires the president to consult with congress prior to using military dynamism, and it gives the president a sixty-day time limit when sending troops to war without the consensus from congress (D. Watts, 2010).
Congressional and Presidential Responsibility
“Congress can be both a potential adversary and key partner in the formulation and conduct of national security policy.

Conversely, the President and his team cannot sustain any national security policy course without the support of Congress and the American people.” (J. Bartholomees, 2008). Under the War Powers Act of 1973 congress and the president have the responsibility of monitoring our nation’s security. While the president has the authority to make treaties, it’s congress’ job to keeps an eye on the laws of its administration in order to ensure they are being interpreted and executed properly. The power of agreement is essential between the two parties (E. Meese,

2011).
The act put two requirements on the president, one being to inform congress of any commitment of troops within 48 hours and to withdraw troop in 60-90 days. However, with stating this prior to the act being put in place there were multiple presidents not doing there due diligence and informing congress of what was happening in these countries or before the movement of troops. For example President Nixon was bombing Cambodia in secret without informing Congress. (B. Creech, 2013). Over the years American troops have been placed into multiple conflicts that have not been completely approved by congress, nor has the act been invoked entirely. Congress did limit military involvement by citing the act for Somalia in 94, former Yugoslavia in 99 and Libya in 2011. During the Lebanon (82-83) and the Iraq (91) wars the President did ask for congressional permission and was given authority to mobilize troops to be moved in to combat operations.
Presidential Power
The War Powers Act of 1973 is a necessary extension of congressional authority in response to the growth of presidential power.

Over the years the presidential power has grown in response to the increasingly diverse U.S. economic and social systems, this has indirectly reinforced the presidential power in national security. (Sarkesian, Williams, & Cimbala, 2013). Presidents have sent troops to war multiple times while congress has only declared war five times. The president is the commander-in-chief and while presidential powers are momentous, their leadership is often dependent on their power to persuade others that what he or she wants of them is in their best interest (J. Bartholomees,

2008).
Even though the president is the commander-in-chief he should be aware of the representative roles of congress and its power over the purse. To be successful in the presidency, they cannot afford to disregard congressional roles or isolate themselves from the legislative processes, nor should they distance themselves from the congressional leadership. If a president doesn’t do what is necessary to abide by the policy and keep up with congress or even ask for insight in regards to rules or regulations of what is allowed with the movement of troops, they will find themselves in a stalemate with every part of the position they hold.
Conclusion
Establishing the War Powers Act of 1973 ensures that not only does congress have the responsibility of declaring war but the president can also wage war when necessary. National security policy plays a vital part in keeping our nation safe and the president and congress take on that responsibility as a team. As stated above, the cooperation of both parties is essential for success. The War Powers Act of 1973 has added growth to the presidential power by establishing an effective relationship with congress. Although the president in the commander-in-chief his or her success relies heavily on their leadership and the relationship built with congress.