"I directed this action consistent with my responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad and in furtherance of United States national interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action."
Okay, some of the entries are very long and need legal minds to decipher. I’ll post some bits with links and hopefully more people see this and can explain the import. Hmm, some use Wikipedia summary and I hate wikipedia. Appears to have been written to limit POTUS’ ability to wage any warfare or acts of war without Congressional approval or at least notice. I don’t see much about use of military on US soil so far.
Very long and need translator:
50 USC Ch. 33: WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
From Title 50—WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title50/chapter33&edition=prelim
https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-joint-resolution/542
Summary: H.J.Res.542 — 93rd Congress (1973-1974)
Shown Here:
Public Law No: 93-148 (11/07/1973)
(LATEST SUMMARY)
War Power Resolution - Declares that it is the purpose of this Act to fulfill the intent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of the Armed Forces of the United States in hostilities, or in situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, and to the continued use of such forces in hostilities.
Requires that the President shall in every possible instance consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement is clearly indicated by the circumstances.
Provides that in the absence of a declaration of war by the Congress, in any case in which the Armed Forces of the United States are introduced in hostilities, or in situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, such use of the Armed Forces of the United States in hostilities pursuant to this Act shall be reported within 48 hours in writing by the President to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate, together with a full account of the circumstances under which such hostilities were initiated, the estimated scope and duration of such hostilities, and the constitutional and legislative authority under which the introduction of hostilities took place.
Provides that nothing in this Act is intended to alter the provisions of existing treaties.
Sets forth the criteria for Congressional consideration of joint resolutions and concurrent resolutions introduced pursuant to this Act.
Provides that this Act shall take effect on the date of its enactment.
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One more, does seem pretty clear even to me. I don’t see anything that relates to any violence that might go down on CONUS other than in the event of an attack by foreign elements.
https://www.loc.gov/law/help/usconlaw/war-powers.php
Overview
This guide is intended to serve as an introduction to research on the War Powers Resolution, Public Law 93-148, 87 Stat. 555, passed over President Nixon’s veto on November 7, 1973. The War Powers Resolution is sometimes referred to as the War Powers Act, its title in the version passed by the Senate. This Joint Resolution is codified in the United States Code (”USC”) in Title 50, Chapter 33, Sections 1541-48.
The term “Resolution” can be misleading; this law originated as a Joint Resolution and was passed by both Houses of Congress pursuant to the Legislative Process, and has the same legal effect as a Bill which has passed and become a law. For more information on Bills and Joint Resolutions see this explanation of Congressional Forms of Action.
The Constitution of the United States divides the war powers of the federal government between the Executive and Legislative branches: the President is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces (Article II, section 2), while Congress has the power to make declarations of war, and to raise and support the armed forces (Article I, section 8). Over time, questions arose as to the extent of the President’s authority to deploy U.S. armed forces into hostile situations abroad without a declaration of war or some other form of Congressional approval. Congress passed the War Powers Resolution in the aftermath of the Vietnam War to address these concerns and provide a set of procedures for both the President and Congress to follow in situations where the introduction of U.S. forces abroad could lead to their involvement in armed conflict.
Conceptually, the War Powers Resolution can be broken down into several distinct parts. The first part states the policy behind the law, namely to “insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities,” and that the President’s powers as Commander in Chief are exercised only pursuant to a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization from Congress, or a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States (50 USC Sec. 1541).
The second part requires the President to consult with Congress before introducing U.S. armed forces into hostilities or situations where hostilities are imminent, and to continue such consultations as long as U.S. armed forces remain in such situations (50 USC Sec. 1542). The third part sets forth reporting requirements that the President must comply with any time he introduces U.S. armed forces into existing or imminent hostilities (50 USC Sec. 1543); section 1543(a)(1) is particularly significant because it can trigger a 60 day time limit on the use of U.S. forces under section 1544(b).
[Lots more at link]
Okay, this part jumps out at me:
the President’s powers as Commander in Chief are exercised only pursuant to a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization from Congress, or a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States.
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China attacked the US with a bioweapon.