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Would the USA congress need the presidents signature to enact a declaration of war? Or is it different from other bills in this respect?

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    I wouldn't call it the "final say". Congress can over-ride the President's veto.
    – indigochild
    Mar 28, 2017 at 16:54
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    Wait, Congress has something to do with starting a war?
    – user4012
    Mar 28, 2017 at 19:52
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    I can't think of any time in history that this issue has ever presented itself.
    – ohwilleke ♦
    Nov 17, 2018 at 2:56

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The United States Constitution grants Congress the authority to declare war (Article I, Section 8):

[Congress has the power] To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

This is a normal legislative authority. There are no special rules for a declaration of war. Just like all the other powers listed in this section, it is a legislative act and requires the president's signature (or Congress to over-ride a veto) before becoming law.

Additionally, if reading the Constitution doesn't convince you, here's a picture of FDR signing the declaration of war against Germany. You can read more about this picture on the Library of Congress website.

enter image description here

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Article I Section 7 of the Constitution contains this clause:

Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.

So, it follows the same rules as an ordinary bill. The President can sign it or veto it, and Congress can override the veto.

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It's not entirely explicit in the constitution, but declarations of war have been enacted as laws and signed by the president.

See United States declaration of war on Japan on Wikipedia for a photograph of Roosevelt signing Public Law 77-328, 55 STAT 795, declaring war on Japan.

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  • It is extremely explicit in the constitution; Congress has the power to declare war, just like it has the power to establish a post office or establish tarrifs. When figuring out what congress can do, Article 1 is your friend
    – Flydog57
    Jun 20, 2021 at 1:07
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Although the power to declare war is exclusively held by the Congress, and does not require the president's agreement, it is also true that the president is the commander-in-chief of the military.

If he/she does not agree with the declaration he/she can simply ignore the declaration entirely, and issue no commands whatsoever to prosecute the war. That is admittedly an extreme position for him/her to take, but it is within his/her constitutional authority.

Congress would then have the option to impeach him/her (perhaps on the grounds that failing to prosecute the war gave aid and comfort to America's enemies). What comes after this is a bit far from the original question.

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