HR 276 — A Resolution urging the President of the United States to adhere to the Constitution of the United States and the War Powers Resolution by seeking and obtaining explicit authorization from Congress before engaging United States Armed Forces in any hostilities involving foreign nations.

PRINTER'S NO.   2059

                      THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 276
                                                  Session of
                                                    2025

     INTRODUCED BY WAXMAN, GUZMAN, PIELLI, PROBST, GIRAL, SANCHEZ AND
        D. WILLIAMS, JUNE 30, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS AND
        OPERATIONS, JUNE 30, 2025


                                   A RESOLUTION
 1   Urging the President of the United States to adhere to the
 2      Constitution of the United States and the War Powers
 3      Resolution by seeking and obtaining explicit authorization
 4      from Congress before engaging United States Armed Forces in
 5      any hostilities involving foreign nations.
 6         WHEREAS, Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the
 7   United States grants Congress the sole power to declare war; and
 8         WHEREAS, The War Powers Resolution of 1973 reaffirms that the
 9   President may only introduce United States Armed Forces into
10   hostilities, or into situations where the imminent involvement
11   of hostilities is clearly indicated pursuant to:
12             (1)   a declaration of war;
13             (2)   specific statutory authorization; or
14             (3)   a national emergency created by an attack upon the
15         United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed
16         forces;
17   and
18         WHEREAS, Actions by the United States Armed Forces that
19   involve or risk imminent hostilities without authorization raise
 1   serious constitutional concerns and potentially violate Federal
 2   law; and
 3      WHEREAS, The American people deserve full transparency, a
 4   public debate in Congress and a congressional vote before the
 5   nation is drawn into another foreign war, in accordance with the
 6   Constitution of the United States and democratic principles;
 7   therefore be it
 8      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
 9   Commonwealth of Pennsylvania urge the President of the United
10   States to adhere to the Constitution of the United States and
11   the War Powers Resolution by seeking and obtaining explicit
12   authorization from Congress before engaging United States Armed
13   Forces in any hostilities involving foreign nations; and be it
14   further
15      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
16   Commonwealth of Pennsylvania affirms that unauthorized military
17   action constitutes a violation of constitutional war powers and
18   sets a dangerous precedent for unilateral war-making; and be it
19   further
20      RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
21   the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense,
22   the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives and
23   each member of Congress from Pennsylvania.




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