WASHINGTON, D.C. – At a press conference today on Capitol Hill, Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC) was joined by Congressmen Bill Delahunt (D-MA), Ron Paul (R-TX) and Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD) to announce the introduction of H. J. Res. 53, the Constitutional War Powers Resolution. By ensuring that Congress meets its constitutional responsibility, H. J. Res. 53 improves upon the War Powers Resolution of 1973 to establish a clear and sustainable war powers policy for the introduction of U.S. Armed Forces into future conflicts.

“The framers of our Constitution sought to decentralize the war powers of the United States and construct a balance between the political branches. Throughout American history, this balance too often has been ignored,” Congressman Jones said. “Since U.S. involvement in Korea, presidents of both parties have used military force abroad without the consent of Congress.”

“Our Constitution states that – while the Commander in Chief has the power to conduct wars – only Congress has the power to declare war. Too many times this Congress has not met its constitutional duty of oversight & has abdicated its constitutional authorities to the executive branch. It is for this reason that I have introduced H. J. Res. 53 – the Constitutional War Powers Resolution,” Jones said. “As threats to international peace and security continue to evolve, the Constitutional War Powers Resolution rededicates Congress to its primary constitutional role of deciding when to use force abroad.”

Virginia Sloan, President of The Constitution Project, a nonpartisan organization that seeks consensus solutions to difficult legal and constitutional issues, said: “The bipartisan Constitutional War Powers Resolution is a significant step towards restoring the checks and balances established in the Constitution.”

H. J. Res. 53 improves upon the War Powers Resolution of 1973 by:

- prohibiting presidential entry into future hostilities without congressional action except: to repel and retaliate for an attack on the United States, repel an attack on U.S. troops, or protect and evacuate U.S. citizens; and

- providing a more robust presidential reporting requirement so that Congress may be more informed and able to exercise improved oversight.

Statement of Support for H. J. Res. 53

Comparison of the existing War Powers Resolution and the Constitutional War Powers Resolution

Major Action Time Line under the Constitutional War Powers Resolution

For additional information or to schedule an interview with Congressman Walter B. Jones, please contact Kathleen Joyce at (202) 225-3415.