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HR 1609 112th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Congressional oversight Congressional-executive branch relations Defense spending Israel Middle East Military assistance, sales, and agreements Military operations and strategy Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents War and emergency powers

War Powers Reform Act of 2011

Introduced: June 24, 2011 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 15, 2011
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 15, 2011
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

War Powers Reform Act of 2011 - Amends the War Powers Resolution to repeal an existing framework under which the President is required to terminate, within 60 days, subject to a possible 30-day extension, any use of Armed Forces with respect to which the President has submitted (or is required to submit) a report concerning the introduction of Armed Forces into hostilities in the absence of a declaration of war, unless: (1) Congress declares war or enacts specific authorization, (2) extends the 60-day period, or (3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Strikes provisions concerning congressional action to remove Armed Forces engaged in hostilities without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization.

Replaces such framework with a process that prohibits funds available for the Armed Forces from being obligated or expended for introducing the Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated, in the absence of: (1) a declaration of war; (2) specific statutory authorization or obligation under a treaty; or (3) a national emergency created by an attack or imminent threat of attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Armed Forces.

Provides that such prohibition shall not be construed to prohibit the use of such funds to provide for the defense of Israel created by an attack upon Israel.

What's happening now April 15, 2011

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1609: War Powers Reform Act of 2011. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1609/
MLA
"H.R. 1609: War Powers Reform Act of 2011." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1609/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1609, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1609/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1609: War Powers Reform Act of 2011](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-1609/)
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