The War Powers Act has faced numerous challenges regarding its constitutionality. This market predicts whether a federal court will issue a ruling on the Act's constitutionality before July 1, 2026. Resolution will be based on official court records or reputable news sources.

Resolution criteria

This market will resolve to "Yes" if, by July 1, 2026, a federal court issues a ruling explicitly addressing the constitutionality of the War Powers Act. The ruling must be documented in official court records or reported by reputable news sources. If no such ruling is issued by the specified date, the market will resolve to "No."

Background

The War Powers Act, enacted in 1973, aims to balance the President's authority as Commander-in-Chief with Congress's constitutional power to declare war. It requires the President to consult with Congress before deploying armed forces into hostilities and mandates withdrawal within 60 days unless Congress authorizes the action. The Act has been contentious, with debates over its constitutionality and effectiveness. Notably, in June 2025, House Speaker Mike Johnson labeled the Act as "unconstitutional" amid discussions on limiting presidential military actions against Iran. (axios.com)

Considerations

While the War Powers Act has faced criticism and challenges, federal courts have historically been reluctant to rule directly on its constitutionality. Previous cases, such as Dellums v. Bush (1990), were dismissed on procedural grounds without addressing the core constitutional questions. (casetext.com) Traders should consider the historical judicial hesitance to engage in this matter when making predictions.