“I don’t know anyone who takes that argument seriously,” Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.)”
Apparently people smarter than you. It is a loophole in the war powers act that frees the POTUS of conflict thus no need to invoke anything to stop him. He is now policing open waters for terrorist attacks just like he did with the drug boats in our southern seas. There’s no war going on there as attacks on Iran have stopped. We are protecting shipping through the straits for everyone from everyone that wishes to stop it, not attacking just Iran. Sorry, no conflict with a single entity that would be covered. Brilliant.
Under the 1973 Resolution, any, president must report to Congress within 48 hours when introducing armed forces into hostilities or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances. But an independent act of cutting off any ship to include Chinese, Russian, or anyone that is trying to take supplies into the straits to assist terrorists doesn’t fall under the war powers act. It has been done before without a declaration of war. The U.S. has done this via the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to target groups responsible for 9/11, allowing for military, rather than just law enforcement, action.
wy69
Do you know what the law says when the President doesn't have Congressional authorization?
(b) Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 4(a)(1), whichever is earlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted), unless the Congress (1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces, (2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or (3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces.