What effect did the Vietnam War have on the power of the president?

The Vietnam War had a significant effect on the power of the President of the United States, particularly in terms of how future presidents would be constrained in deploying military forces without the explicit authorization of Congress. One of the most notable impacts was the passage of the War Powers Resolution of 1973.

The War Powers Resolution was a congressional response to the perception that the executive branch, specifically the Presidency, had overstepped its bounds in committing U.S. forces to conflict in Vietnam without sufficient oversight or approval from Congress. The resolution sought to check the president's power by requiring the following:

1. The president must notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action. 2. Such forces must be withdrawn within 60 days unless Congress authorizes a longer period. 3. Congress may demand the withdrawal of forces at any time by passing a concurrent resolution.

The resolution represented an attempt to restore the balance of power between the Congress and the President as set out in the Constitution. The Constitution grants Congress the power to declare war (Article I, Section 8) and makes the President the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces (Article II, Section 2). However, the 60-day limit and the requirement for notification have been subject to various interpretations and, in practice, have not always been strictly adhered to.

The Vietnam War and its aftermath have had long-lasting implications on the relationship between the Presidency and Congress, with debates continuing to this day about the appropriate level of executive power in military affairs.