Nixon vetoes War Powers Resolution, calling it unconstitutional

President Richard Nixon sends Congress a veto message rejecting the War Powers Resolution (H.J.Res. 542), calling the bill "dangerous, unconstitutional, and detrimental to the best interests of the nation." Nixon argues the resolution would "seriously undermine" the president's ability to act in a crisis. The War Powers Resolution had passed both chambers of Congress in response to Nixon's escalation of the Vietnam War without a congressional declaration of war. (Congressional Record, Oct. 24, 1973)