[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Which of those three pre-conditions was met? The language of the WPA is absolute in regard to them."

The way I understand "pursuant to", it means that you can do something with one of the following three conditions met later. In other words, Obama can do this (per the War Powers Act) with one of those three conditions being met at a later date. In other words, Obama has to go to Congress to get a declaration of War or a Joint resolution. He hasn't done that part of the requirement yet, but he still has time to do them. So he can deliver this official notification to Congress with the idea that in the near future (I believe the War Powers Act gives him 30 days) he has to go to Congress to get a declaration of war or a joint resolution.

[TigersEye]

The way I understand "pursuant to", it means that you can do something with one of the following three conditions met later.

The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situation where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances,...

What does the word 'before' mean?