Editing War Powers Resolution (section)

===Background and passage===

During the [[Vietnam War]], the United States found itself involved for many years in situations of intense conflict without a declaration of war. Many members of Congress became concerned with the erosion of congressional authority to decide when the United States should become involved in a war or the use of armed forces that might lead to war. It was prompted by news leaking out that President Nixon conducted [[Operation Menu|secret bombings of Cambodia]] during the Vietnam War without notifying Congress.<ref name=HistoryChannel>{{cite web|url=https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/vietnam-war/war-powers-act|title=War Powers Act|date=30 November 2017}}</ref> The War Powers Resolution bill was a contest between Congress and the Presidency on who has specific rights regarding wartime authorities. According to the committee report “The issue concerns the "twilight zone" of concurrent authority which the Founding Fathers gave the Congress and the President over the war powers of the National Government.” <ref>{{Cite web |title=Shibboleth Authentication Request |url=https://login.huaryu.kl.oakland.edu/login?qurl=https://li.proquest.com%2flegislativeinsight%2fdocview%3fid%3dHRG-1973-FOA-0039%26p%3d1929C02FC6C%26uid%3d1005 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=login.huaryu.kl.oakland.edu}}</ref>

President Nixon's opposition to the bill was noted by Representative Gerald R. Ford, who read aloud a telegram from the President in which Nixon warned he would veto the legislation due to its "dangerous and unconstitutional restrictions."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Preview unavailable - ProQuest |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/119841442 |access-date=2024-11-16 |website=www.proquest.com |id={{ProQuest|119841442}} |language=en}}</ref> The War Powers Resolution was passed by both the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] and [[United States Senate|Senate]] but was vetoed by President [[Richard Nixon]].<ref name=ConCenter>{{cite web| url=https://constitutioncenter.org/amp/blog/when-congress-once-used-its-powers-to-declare-war|title=When Congress last used its powers to declare war|date=8 December 2018|access-date=15 October 2019}}</ref><ref name=HistoryChannel /> By a two-thirds vote in each house, Congress [[Veto override|overrode]] the veto and enacted the joint resolution into law on November 7, 1973.<ref name=ConCenter />