War Powers Reform

To amend the War Powers Resolution to limit the use of funds for introduction of the Armed Forces into hostilities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the War Powers Reform Act 2. Purpose and policy Section 2(c) of the War Powers Resolution ( 50 U.S.C. 1541(c) (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking are exercised may be exercised (2) in paragraph (3), by inserting after attack or imminent threat of attack 3. Consultation and reporting Section 3 of the War Powers Resolution ( 50 U.S.C. 1542 (1) in the heading, by inserting and reporting consultation (2) by striking The President (a) Consultation The President ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (b) Reporting The President in every possible instance shall submit to Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances a report, in writing, setting forth the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities or involvement. . 4. Reporting Section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution ( 50 U.S.C. 1543(a) or a specific statutory authorization a declaration of war 5. Limitation on use of funds for introduction of Armed Forces into hostilities The War Powers Resolution ( 50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq. (1) by striking sections 5, 6, and 7; (2) by redesignating sections 8, 9, and 10 as sections 6, 7, and 8, respectively; and (3) by inserting after section 4 the following: 5. limitation on use of funds (a) No funds available for the United States Armed Forces may be obligated or expended for introduction of the Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, in the absence of a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by an attack or imminent threat of attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Armed Forces. (b) It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution that would make funds available in violation of subsection (a). .

Summary: War Powers Reform Act Amends the War Powers Resolution to direct the President in every possible instance to submit to Congress before introducing U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated a written report setting forth the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities or involvement. Directs the President, in the absence of a declaration of war or a specific statutory authorization (currently, only in the absence of a declaration of war), to submit a written report to Congress within 48 hours when the Armed Forces are introduced into hostilities or foreign nations under specified circumstances and requires that such report include the circumstances necessitating the introduction, the constitutional and legislative authority under which such introduction took place, and the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities or involvement. Repeals an existing framework under which the President is required to terminate, within 60 days, subject to a possible 30-day extension, any use of Armed Forces with respect to which the President has submitted (or is required to submit) a report concerning the introduction of Armed Forces into hostilities in the absence of a declaration of war, unless: (1) Congress declares war or enacts specific authorization, (2) extends the 60-day period, or (3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Strikes provisions concerning congressional action to remove Armed Forces engaged in hostilities without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization. Replaces such framework with a process that prohibits funds available for the Armed Forces from being obligated or expended for introducing the Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated, in the absence of: (1) a declaration of war; (2) specific statutory authorization; or (3) a national emergency created by an attack or imminent threat of attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Armed Forces.