War Powers Clause

Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the United States Constitution, sometimes referred to as the War Powers Clause, vests in the Congress the power to declare war, in the following wording:

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

A number of wars have been declared under the United States Constitution, although there is some controversy as to the exact number, as the Constitution does not specify the form of such a declaration.

Read more about War Powers Clause:  History and Usage, Constitutional Convention Debate, Supreme Court Cases, Other Court Cases

Famous quotes containing the words war, powers and/or clause:

    “Thus do I want man and woman to be: the one fit to wage war and the other fit to give birth, but both fit to dance with head and feet.”
    —Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)

    “And as the sun above the light doth bring,
    Though we behold it in the air below,
    So from th’ eternal Light the soul doth spring,
    Though in the body she her powers do show.”
    —Sir John Davies (1569–1626)

    “Long ago I added to the true old adage of “What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business,” another clause which, I think, more than any other principle has served to influence my actions in life. That is, What is nobody’s business is my business.”
    —Clara Barton (1821–1912)