Trump’s Iran strike has reignited debate over the War Powers Resolution. The numbers tell the real story. 

President Trump’s recent strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities – dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer – has reignited debate over the War Powers Resolution, the 1973 law meant to limit a president’s ability to use military force without congressional authorization. 

President Trump was hardly the first to unilaterally order military strikes on other countries.  In fact, every single U.S. president has used military force without Congress’s pre-approval since the law was passed. 

Here are the key numbers that reveal just how often the U.S. uses force abroad without a vote: 

168

Since 1973, presidents have submitted 168 reports to Congress under the War Powers Resolution. Each one notifies legislators about a military operation conducted without prior congressional authorization. 

40

War Powers reports have covered operations in at least 40 different countries across four continents. From Panama to Indonesia to Hungary to Tanzania, presidents have repeatedly used military action without advance congressional approval. 

38

President Bill Clinton used his War Powers authority more than any other president, submitting 38 reports during his two terms. Many involved airstrikes and interventions in the Balkans and the Middle East. 

18

Iraq has been on the receiving end of more U.S. military actions reported under the War Powers Resolution than any other country, with 18 separate operations documented. 

Zero

The law gives Congress a mechanism to block military operations they disagree with, but it has never been used. The War Powers Resolution has stopped zero military operations. 

The Bottom Line

The War Powers Resolution was supposed to give Congress more control over military action. Instead, it’s become little more than a filing system, a way to keep count of how often presidents use force without Congress’s approval.