Final answer:
The War Powers Resolution, passed in 1973, was designed to rein in presidential war-making authority, requiring presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and to cease military action after 90 days without congressional approval. Despite its aim, it clarified the president's power to act unilaterally for sixty days, contributing to ongoing executive-legislative tensions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The piece of legislation passed by Congress in 1973 to check the imperial presidency is known as the War Powers Resolution. This legislation was Congress's attempt to reassert its authority in matters of war-making, which is significant since the power to declare war is vested in Congress by the Constitution. The War Powers Resolution stipulates that a president must inform Congress within 48 hours of committing troops to hostilities without a formal declaration of war and furthermore, that troops may only remain for a maximum of 90 days unless Congress authorizes their continued presence or declares war.
Despite its intentions, the War Powers Resolution may have inadvertently clarified the presidential authority to engage in military conflict for up to sixty days without prior approval from Congress. This has led to a continued struggle for power between Congress and the presidency, especially as presidents have often used executive orders and agreements in place of legislation and treaties.