Final answer:
The War Powers Act limits the powers of the president in committing US troops without congressional approval. This limitation is important for checks and balances and upholding the constitutional authority of Congress.
Step-by-step explanation:
The War Powers Act limits the powers of the president in regards to committing US troops without the approval of Congress. Here are two reasons to support this limitation:
- Checks and balances: The War Powers Act provides a necessary check on the president's power and ensures that decisions to go to war are made collectively by both the executive and legislative branches of government. This helps prevent the abuse of power and promotes democratic decision-making.
- Constitutional authority: The Constitution grants war powers to Congress, not the president. The War Powers Act upholds the constitutional principle that the power to declare war belongs to the legislative branch. By requiring the president to seek congressional authorization for military campaigns beyond sixty days, the act preserves the balance of power established by the Constitution.