Who has the power to declare war?

The power to declare war is vested in both houses of Congress, which means that both the Senate and the House of Representatives must come together to officially approve any declaration of war. This is outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which specifically grants Congress the authority to declare war. This framework is designed to prevent unilateral decisions by the executive branch, ensuring that representatives of the people (through their congressional votes) have a say in such significant actions.

The involvement of both houses balances the influence of the legislative branch in matters of national security and military action. This collaborative requirement is particularly important because declaring war has vast implications for national policy, financial commitment, and the potential loss of life.