Pennsylvania 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.

Bill Text

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