the War Powers Act
/ðə ˈwɔː paʊəz ækt/
/ðə ˈwɔːr paʊərz ækt/
the War Powers Resolution
- a US law passed in 1973 which allows Congress to limit the President's use of military forces. It states that the President must tell Congress within 48 hours if he or she sends armed forces anywhere, and Congress must give approval for them to stay there for more than 90 days. The Act was passed despite a veto (= when someone refuses to sign a law) by President Richard Nixon.