Clinton launches Kosovo air campaign without congressional authorization

President Bill Clinton orders NATO air strikes against Serbian forces in Kosovo without seeking congressional authorization, relying instead on the NATO alliance commitment and his own Article II authority as commander-in-chief. The air campaign lasts 78 days. The House of Representatives votes on several war powers measures, including a resolution to authorize the operation (which fails 213-213) and a resolution to require Clinton to withdraw forces (which fails 139-290). Republicans introduce articles of impeachment over the war powers violation; these also fail. The episode establishes that a president can conduct a prolonged air war without congressional authorization and face no meaningful institutional consequence for doing so.