Answer: The War Powers Act of 1973 was passed by Congress during the Vietnam War to limit the U.S. president’s ability to initiate or escalate military actions abroad. Among other restrictions, the law requires that presidents notify Congress after deploying the armed forces and limits how long units can remain engaged without congressional approval. The law was enacted in November 1973 over an executive veto by President Richard M. Nixon. The effectiveness of the War Powers Act has been repeatedly questioned throughout its history, and several presidents have been accused of failing to comply with its regulations.