Congress’ last stand? The waning grip on presidential wars
Decades after Congress passed the 1973 War Powers Resolution to curb presidential war-making, presidents have largely acted with limited congressional approval by leaning on broad 2001/2002 authorizations. Today’s Iran debate shows a fragmented Congress unlikely to reclaim a decisive check, a stark contrast to the Vietnam-era moment when Congress asserted its authority. The piece uses Madison’s idea that ambition must counter ambition to frame the ongoing struggle over congressional power in war.
