Title 50 — War and National DefenseRelease 119-73not60

§1543 Reporting Requirement

Title 50 › Chapter 33— WAR POWERS RESOLUTION › § 1543

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The President must tell Congress whenever U.S. forces are sent abroad without a declaration of war in any of three situations: they enter hostilities or are clearly about to, they go into another country’s land, air, or waters while armed for combat (unless they are there only for supply, replacement, repair, or training), or large numbers are added that greatly increase combat forces already there. The report must say why the forces were sent, what constitutional or legal authority was used, and the estimated size and length of the action. The President must also give any other information Congress asks for. While the forces remain engaged, the President must report on their status regularly, and at least once every six months.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §1543

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In the absence of a declaration of war, in any case in which United States Armed Forces are introduced—

(1)into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances;

(2)into the territory, airspace or waters of a foreign nation, while equipped for combat, except for deployments which relate solely to supply, replacement, repair, or training of such forces; or

(3)in numbers which substantially enlarge United States Armed Forces equipped for combat already located in a foreign nation;

(A)the circumstances necessitating the introduction of United States Armed Forces;

(B)the constitutional and legislative authority under which such introduction took place; and

(C)the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities or involvement.

(b)The President shall provide such other information as the Congress may request in the fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities with respect to committing the Nation to war and to the use of United States Armed Forces abroad.

(c)Whenever United States Armed Forces are introduced into hostilities or into any situation described in subsection (a) of this section, the President shall, so long as such armed forces continue to be engaged in such hostilities or situation, report to the Congress periodically on the status of such hostilities or situation as well as on the scope and duration of such hostilities or situation, but in no event shall he report to the Congress less often than once every six months.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 1543

Title 50 — War and National Defense

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60