how did the war powers act limit the power of the president
1 War Powers Act of 1973 limited presidents' power to deploy troops without receiving an official act of war from Congress. 2  In recent years, War on Terror has tested limits of executive power in times of international crisis. Vietnam War and Cold War spy scandals caused Congress to reassert its power over foreign affairs in 1970s. 2  War Powers Act of 1973 limited presidents' power to deploy troops without receiving an official act of war from Congress.