War Powers Amendments of 2021
Summary
War Powers Amendments of 2021 This joint resolution revises the War Powers Resolution, a law that limits the President's power to introduce Armed Forces into hostilities. Changes include shortening the time that Armed Forces may be involved in hostilities without congressional action and providing for judicial enforcement. The President shall remove any Armed Forces introduced into hostilities without congressional approval within 30 days unless Congress (1) declares war, (2) enacts a joint resolution specifically authorizing such use of the Armed Forces, or (3) is unable to meet because of an attack on the United States. This 30-day period may be extended by up to 15 days under specified circumstances. Current law allows such use of the Armed Forces for 60 days from when the President first reports to Congress about the engagement and allows for a 60-day extension. If Congress takes no such actions, funds may not be used to continue Armed Forces involvement in the hostilities, except to withdraw. The bill removes a provision requiring the removal of such engaged Armed Forces if Congress passes a concurrent resolution requiring such removal. A member of Congress may sue in district court for an order directing the President to comply with this bill. A judgment in such an action shall be directly appealable to the Supreme Court. The bill also revises various provisions relating to (1) the President reporting to and consulting with Congress regarding the use of the Armed Forces without congressional authorization, and (2) procedures for the expedited handling of joint resolutions related to such use of force.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2021
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Mar 8, 2021
Last action Mar 8, 2021
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Mar 8, 2021
Committee
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
lower
Mar 8, 2021
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Peter A. DeFazio
DDemocratic
Co
Adriano Espaillat
DDemocratic
Co
Barbara Lee
DDemocratic
Co
Bobby L. Rush
DDemocratic
Co
Bonnie Watson Coleman
DDemocratic
Co
Danny K. Davis
DDemocratic
Co
David N. Cicilline
DDemocratic
Co
Donald S. Beyer, Jr.
DDemocratic
Co
Earl Blumenauer
DDemocratic
Co
Eleanor Holmes Norton
DDemocratic
Co
Grace F. Napolitano
DDemocratic
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