Congress Curbs Trump's War Powers

The U.S. Congress is poised to pass a landmark military bill designed to significantly limit President Trump's authority to initiate military operations, according to NJ Spotlight News on December 12, 2025. This bipartisan legislative effort follows a series of recent missile strikes ordered by the administration, particularly in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific. The move aims to reassert congressional authority over war powers, a long-standing constitutional debate.

military.com reported, The comprehensive military bill, identified as S. 1071, has already cleared the House of Representatives with a vote of 312-112 and is expected to pass the Senate shortly. This legislation is a product of extensive bipartisan negotiations, reflecting growing frustration among lawmakers regarding the executive branch's unilateral military actions. It represents a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy oversight, as reported by NJ Spotlight News.

A key provision of the bill includes the repeal of two long-standing Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) from 1991 and 2002, which past presidents have invoked to deploy U.S. forces. Representative Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York, led the push to rescind these authorities, arguing that "leaving them on the books invites future presidents to drag us into reckless foreign wars".

njspotlightnews.org noted, The legislative push gained momentum following controversial missile strikes against alleged drug smugglers in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, which began in early September 2025. These operations, which resulted in multiple fatalities, have drawn sharp criticism and questions about their legal justification and transparency from members of Congress.

Beyond war powers, the bill also addresses several other critical defense matters, including a 3.8% pay raise for military personnel and provisions to block the Trump administration from withdrawing U.S. troops from Eastern Europe. It further mandates fresh military aid for Ukraine, showcasing Congress's intent to shape defense policy comprehensively.

brennancenter.org reported, Despite the bill's broad support, some progressive-leaning Democrats, including Rep. Frank Pallone, opposed it, arguing it "does not do enough to rein in the president". Pallone stated to NJ Spotlight News that the bill fails to provide sufficient guardrails to protect Congress's constitutional responsibility to declare war.

• The War Powers Resolution of 1973, also known as the War Powers Act, was enacted to reclaim congressional authority over military engagements following the Vietnam War. Passed over President Nixon's veto, it mandates that the president must consult with Congress before military action, report within 48 hours of deploying forces into hostile situations, and withdraw forces within 60 days unless Congress authorizes an extension. Despite its intent, presidents have often viewed it as an unconstitutional infringement on executive power, leading to ongoing debates.

• military.com noted, The recent missile strikes that spurred this legislative action targeted alleged drug-smuggling vessels off the coast of Venezuela and in the eastern Pacific, beginning in early September 2025. These operations, which the administration justified as "counter-narcotics" efforts or an "armed conflict" with drug cartels, reportedly led to at least 87 fatalities across 22 strikes. Critics, including some lawmakers and human rights groups, have questioned the legality and transparency of these strikes, particularly a controversial "follow-on strike" that killed survivors.

• The constitutional framework for war powers divides authority between the legislative and executive branches, with Article I granting Congress the power to declare war and Article II designating the President as Commander-in-Chief. However, successive presidents have asserted inherent authority for military interventions without prior congressional authorization, often relying on broad interpretations of existing AUMFs or Article II powers. The Brennan Center for Justice has highlighted how this executive overreach has expanded U.S. military involvement beyond congressional intent.

• njspotlightnews.org reported, Efforts to curb presidential war powers have seen bipartisan support in various forms over the years. For instance, in June 2025, Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) introduced a war powers resolution asserting the need for congressional approval for military action in the Middle East. Similarly, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) introduced a companion resolution to terminate unauthorized uses of force. These initiatives underscore a consistent, cross-party desire to reassert legislative control over military engagements.

• The current bill's repeal of the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs is a significant step, as these authorizations have been broadly interpreted by administrations to justify military actions far beyond their original scope. The 1991 AUMF was for the Persian Gulf War, and the 2002 AUMF was for the Iraq War. According to the Friends Committee On National Legislation, these authorizations have served as the legal basis for nearly two decades of military operations against suspected terrorist groups abroad, despite significant congressional opposition to their expanded use.

• brennancenter.org noted, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has faced scrutiny regarding the recent missile strikes, particularly after reports emerged that a "spoken directive" was given to leave no survivors in one incident, though the White House denied Hegseth gave such an order. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Admiral Frank Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, had "complete authority" for the kinetic strikes. This lack of transparency and accountability has fueled congressional demands for greater oversight.

• The legislation also reflects Congress's pushback against the Trump administration's broader foreign policy stances, including efforts to disengage from Europe and Ukraine. By blocking troop reductions in Europe and South Korea and providing aid to Ukraine, Congress is actively shaping the nation's defense posture and alliances. This demonstrates a legislative branch determined to exert its influence on both military operations and strategic foreign policy decisions.