119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 9964
This bill amends the War Powers Resolution, a 1973 law that requires the president to notify Congress before committing armed forces to military action. The legislation adds a financial enforcement mechanism by prohibiting the Department of Defense and all other federal agencies from spending money on military operations that violate the War Powers Resolution's requirements. The bill includes two exceptions that would allow spending without War Powers compliance in cases of imminent attacks on the United States, its territories, possessions, armed forces, or an allied nation. The measure was introduced by Representative John Larson of Connecticut on July 27, 2026, and was referred to the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees for consideration. Essentially, this bill uses the federal budget as a tool to enforce existing congressional war powers by cutting off funding for military actions that bypass the notification and approval process Congress established decades ago.