Which U.S. law, passed in 1973, restricted the president's ability to deploy troops overseas without congressional approval?

• A. Neutrality Act
• B. War Powers Act
• C. Posse Comitatus Act
• D. National Security Act

Answer: (B)

The question tests understanding of how war powers are shared between Congress and the president. In 1973, Congress passed a law to curb unilateral use of military force overseas by requiring significant executive–legislative oversight. It requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying armed forces and limits such deployment to 60 days unless Congress authorizes a longer involvement or declares war. If Congress does not authorize ongoing action, the president must withdraw forces, allowing a 30-day withdrawal period. This mechanism was designed to ensure that decisions to involve the U.S. in military hostilities receive congressional approval or at least serious oversight, reflecting the balance of powers between the legislative and executive branches.

The other laws mentioned address different issues: the Neutrality Act focuses on keeping the U.S. out of foreign conflicts rather than governing deployment timelines; the Posse Comitatus Act restricts federal troops from enforcing domestic laws within the United States; the National Security Act reorganized national security institutions and agencies.