The War Powers Act, also known as the War Powers Resolution of 1973, is a federal law that limits the President's ability to engage U.S. forces in military conflicts without congressional approval. It was enacted in response to concerns about the Vietnam War and aims to ensure that both the legislative and executive branches share the responsibility for decisions involving military action. Under the War Powers Act, the President must notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying troops and can only engage in military action for up to 60 days without congressional authorization. This law seeks to promote accountability and prevent unilateral military decisions by the executive branch.