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Am I missing something, or haven't they voted on it every time? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Resolution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_Resolution ht

• mysterypie 10y ago
  Your second link cleared confusion for me. Blogs and newspapers throw around contradictory statements like only Congress can declare war or that the President doesn't need Congressional approval to send troops, but they never explain the contradiction. tl;dr: Wikipedia: The Constitution says "Congress shall have power to declare War". However, that passage provides no specific format for legislation declaring war. Many have postulated "Declaration of War" must contain that phrase as or within the title. Others oppose that reasoning. The courts have found that an authorization [by Congress] suffices for a declaration [in at least one case].
  • hackuser 10y ago
    I don't think Wikipedia's version is entirely correct. I think generally the courts have refrained from getting involved; generally they don't want to be in the position of making national security decisions and defer to the President and Congress. Also, it overlooks a major element, the War Powers Resolution, which IIRC was passed partionally in response to the Korean and Vietnam wars being fought without a declaration of war.