Congress overrides Nixon veto, enacts War Powers Resolution into law

Congress overrides President Nixon's veto by a two-thirds majority in both chambers, enacting the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1541–1548) over his objection. Nixon had vetoed the measure on October 24, calling it unconstitutional. The Senate voted 75-18 and the House 284-135 to override. The law requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of introducing U.S. armed forces into hostilities and mandates withdrawal within 60 days absent congressional authorization. It passes in the final weeks of the Watergate scandal, with Nixon's political standing at its lowest point. Every subsequent president — from Ford through Trump — claims the consultation and reporting requirements are either unconstitutional or inapplicable to specific operations. No president has ever acknowledged triggering the 60-day clock.