Oct 12, 1978 · legislation
Carter signs Inspector General Act of 1978
President Jimmy Carter signed the Inspector General Act on October 12, 1978, creating 12 statutory inspectors general appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate to audit and investigate fraud inside federal agencies. The House passed the bill 388-6 and the Senate approved it by unanimous consent. The act required the president to give Congress 30 days' written notice before firing any IG and explain the reasons.
Nov 7, 1973 · legislative
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.
Nov 7, 1973 · legislation
Congress overrides Nixon veto to enact War Powers Resolution
Congress overrode President Nixon''s veto to enact the War Powers Resolution, requiring the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces and limiting deployments to 60 days without congressional authorization. The House voted 284-135 and the Senate 75-18 to override. The law established a framework for congressional oversight of military action that every subsequent president has challenged.