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HJRES 157 101th Congress House International Affairs Armed forces abroad Civil actions and liability Congressional oversight Congressional reporting requirements Congressional-Presidential relations Injunctions Legislative resolutions War and emergency powers

War Powers Amendments of 1989

Introduced: February 28, 1989 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 5, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Rules of the House.
May 5, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Legislative Process.
Mar 13, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on Arms Control, International Security and Science.
Feb 28, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Rules.
Feb 28, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Feb 28, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

War Powers Amendments of 1989 - Amends the War Powers Resolution to permit the introduction of U.S. armed forces to: (1) forestall a direct and imminent threat of an armed attack on the United States or the armed forces; and (2) protect U.S. citizens during their evacuation from any situation on the high seas or any country in which such citizens are subject to a direct and imminent threat to their lives, either by a government or beyond the power of the appropriate government to control. Directs the President to make every effort to terminate such threat without the use of the armed forces and, when possible, to obtain consent of the government of the country involved before using U.S. armed forces to protect endangered U.S. citizens. Limits the emergency use of U.S. armed forces to such use as is essential for the protection of threatened U.S. citizens. Prohibits the use of Federal funds for any introduction of U.S. armed forces into hostilities which is not authorized under such Resolution.

Outlines the specific consultation required between the President and the Congress before the introduction of U.S. armed forces into hostilities or situations in which the imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated. Requires the President to ask designated members of the Congress for their advice and opinions and, in appropriate circumstances, their approval of the action contemplated. Declares that the consultation requirement is not met merely by the Congress being informed about the situation.

Directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within 60 days after the armed forces are introduced, unless the Congress has taken certain action effectively extending such use of the armed forces. Prohibits funds from being used to extend the use of such armed forces unless the Congress has taken such extending action.

Sets forth congressional priority procedures for joint resolutions specifically authorizing the use of U.S. armed forces in hostilities or situations where imminent involvement is indicated by the circumstances.

Provides that any Member of Congress has standing to bring an action alleging that the President or the armed forces have not complied with any provision of such Resolution. Prohibits the court hearing such an action from declining to determine such case on the ground that the issue is a political question or otherwise nonjusticiable. Provides for priority consideration of such cases. Sets forth a judicial remedy in cases where the President has failed to submit a required report. Requires the court, in cases where certain provisions of the Resolution have been violated, to order the removal of the armed forces from hostilities.

What's happening now May 5, 1989

Referred to the Subcommittee on Rules of the House.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 5
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.J. Res. 157: War Powers Amendments of 1989. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HJRES-157/
MLA
"H.J. Res. 157: War Powers Amendments of 1989." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HJRES-157/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.J. Res. 157, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HJRES-157/.
Markdown link
[H.J. Res. 157: War Powers Amendments of 1989](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HJRES-157/)
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