HRES 544 United States House · 118th Congress

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the relationship between certain obligations under the North Atlantic Treaty and constitutional declarations of war by Congress.

This resolution (HRES 544) states that the House believes the U.S. President cannot bypass Congress's constitutional authority to declare war or authorize military force when acting under the North Atlantic Treaty (specifically Article 5, which triggers collective defense). It clarifies that even if military action is taken to protect NATO allies, Congress must still formally approve such hostilities through a declaration of war or specific authorization. The resolution does not change existing law but expresses the House's position on the separation of powers regarding military engagements. It directly addresses the relationship between treaty obligations and Congress's constitutional role in authorizing war.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2023
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President
Introduced Jun 22, 2023 Last action Jun 22, 2023
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Jun 22, 2023
Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
lower
Jun 22, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 13 co-sponsors

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