50 U.S.C. § 1541
Purpose and policy
“It is the sense of Congress that—
“The President shall prepare and submit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (hereafter, ‘Congress’) not later than seven days after enactment of this resolution [ Oct. 25, 1994 ] a statement of the national security objectives to be achieved by Operation Uphold Democracy, and a detailed description of United States policy, the military mission and the general rules of engagement under which operations of United States Armed Forces are conducted in and around Haiti, including the role of United States Armed Forces regarding Haitian on Haitian violence, and efforts to disarm Haitian military or police forces, or civilians. Changes or modifications to such objectives, policy, military mission, or general rules of engagement shall be submitted to Congress within forty-eight hours of approval.
(a) Congressional declaration
It is the purpose of this chapter to fulfill the intent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, and to the continued use of such forces in hostilities or in such situations.
(b) Congressional legislative power under necessary and proper clause
Under article I, section 8, of the Constitution, it is specifically provided that the Congress shall have the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution, not only its own powers but also all other powers vested by the Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
(c) Presidential executive power as Commander-in-Chief; limitation
The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.
( Pub. L. 93–148, § 2 , Nov. 7, 1973 , 87 Stat. 555 .)