
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 50USC1547]

 
                   TITLE 50--WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
                    CHAPTER 33--WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
 
Sec. 1547. Interpretation of joint resolution


(a) Inferences from any law or treaty

    Authority to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities 
or into situations wherein involvement in hostilities is clearly 
indicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred--
        (1) from any provision of law (whether or not in effect before 
    November 7, 1973), including any provision contained in any 
    appropriation Act, unless such provision specifically authorizes the 
    introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into 
    such situations and states that it is intended to constitute 
    specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this chapter; 
    or
        (2) from any treaty heretofore or hereafter ratified unless such 
    treaty is implemented by legislation specifically authorizing the 
    introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into 
    such situations and stating that it is intended to constitute 
    specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this chapter.

(b) Joint headquarters operations of high-level military commands

    Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any further 
specific statutory authorization to permit members of United States 
Armed Forces to participate jointly with members of the armed forces of 
one or more foreign countries in the headquarters operations of high-
level military commands which were established prior to November 7, 
1973, and pursuant to the United Nations Charter or any treaty ratified 
by the United States prior to such date.

(c) Introduction of United States Armed Forces

    For purposes of this chapter, the term ``introduction of United 
States Armed Forces'' includes the assignment of members of such armed 
forces to command, coordinate, participate in the movement of, or 
accompany the regular or irregular military forces of any foreign 
country or government when such military forces are engaged, or there 
exists an imminent threat that such forces will become engaged, in 
hostilities.

(d) Constitutional authorities or existing treaties unaffected; 
        construction against grant of Presidential authority respecting 
        use of United States Armed Forces

    Nothing in this chapter--
        (1) is intended to alter the constitutional authority of the 
    Congress or of the President, or the provisions of existing 
    treaties; or
        (2) shall be construed as granting any authority to the 
    President with respect to the introduction of United States Armed 
    Forces into hostilities or into situations wherein involvement in 
    hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances which 
    authority he would not have had in the absence of this chapter.

(Pub. L. 93-148, Sec. 8, Nov. 7, 1973, 87 Stat. 558.)
