H.R. 1448: Reclamation of War Powers Act

115th Congress · introduced 2017-03-09 · Armed Forces and National Security · Latest: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and 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.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2017-03-09 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Armed Services, and 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. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Reclamation of War Powers Act

Plain summary

Reclamation of War Powers Act This bill prohibits funds made available for the U.S. Armed Forces from being obligated or expended for their introduction into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, in the absence of a declaration of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national emergency created by an attack or imminent threat of attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or the Armed Forces. Such funds may be obligated or expended for such introduction by reason of a national emergency created by such an attack or imminent threat only during the 60-day period beginning on such date of their introduction. It shall not be in order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill or joint resolution that would make funds available in violation of these provisions. The President shall, in the case of a declaration of war or specific authorization for such introduction of the Armed Forces, submit to Congress a report on: an analysis of the threat to be countered by the use of the Armed Forces, the specific objectives and justification for such objectives to be achieved by their use, and a description of the scope and duration, cost, and likelihood of success of their use. The President shall report in the case of an introduction of the Armed Forces by reason of such a national emergency. The bill sets timetables for such reports.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

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A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Reclamation of War Powers Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4] · 14 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Peter Welch (D-VT), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Ted Lieu (D-CA), James P. McGovern (D-MA)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Himes, James A. [D-CT-4] reported raising $1.7 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (5)

Authorization: A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Joint resolution: In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
Obligation: A binding promise by a government agency to pay money, for example by signing a contract or awarding a grant. Spending data such as USAspending.gov counts money when it is obligated, which can be before it is actually paid out.
Statute: A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-115hr1448.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/115/hr>

Record fed-us-cong115-hr1448 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115