The War Powers Resolution: Why the 60-Day Deadline Doesn't Hold Presidents Accountable

Sat, 02 May 2026 13:57:00 +0200

The War Powers Resolution, passed in 1973, was intended to limit presidential authority by requiring the president to seek Congressional approval for military operations beyond 60 days. The deadline is often seen as a critical check on presidential power, but in practice, it has been largely ineffective. Presidents from Nixon to Trump have found ways to circumvent or reinterpret the law. For instance, during the 2026 operation in Iran, the Trump administration signaled its intent to ignore the deadline, claiming that the 60-day clock pauses during ceasefires. Historical precedent reveals a pattern of presidents acting unilaterally, with Congress unable or unwilling to enforce the law. Courts have generally avoided ruling on the War Powers Resolution, leaving the issue to political processes rather than legal ones. The failure of Congress to assert its authority is evident in past operations in Kosovo, Libya, and Iran, where legislative disapproval was either ineffective or vetoed by th