Congress passes the War Powers Resolution over Nixon veto, limiting presidential military action

Congress overrides President Nixon''s veto and enacts the War Powers Resolution, requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing U.S. forces to armed conflict and to terminate hostilities within 60 days unless Congress authorizes the action. Nixon vetoes the bill as an unconstitutional infringement on presidential commander-in-chief authority. Congress overrides the veto 284-135 in the House and 75-18 in the Senate. Every president since Nixon has disputed the resolution''s constitutionality and continued military operations beyond 60 days without congressional authorization. The resolution''s 60-day clock becomes the central legal question when Trump declares Iran hostilities "terminated" in 2026 to pause the countdown.