The War Powers Act of 1973

Congress , authorizing the U .S . Marines to stay in Lebanon for 18 months . What made matters worse was the observation of some quarters that the opposition to the deployment had been mainly due to partisan political reasons . President Reagan , for his part , was greatly disappointed with the compromise especially since it sought President Reagan 's assurances on what the Marines were not supposed to do , thereby tying down their hands and reducing their effectiveness (HOW AMERICA GOES TO WAR

According to observers , the delay in the authorization and the challenges made

in the House of Representatives had the effect of weakening the negotiating position of President Reagan not only with Syria but also with the warring political groups found in Lebanon . As a result , the Department of State 's Director of the Policy Planning Staff Peter W . Rodman , said that the presence of the Marines in Lebanon was stripped of its deterrent impact . Specifically , Rodman explained that what happened in Congress convinced the Syrians that the United States was `short of breath , thus undermining the delicate diplomatic efforts .that sought a negotiated solution ' By March 6 , 1984 , Senator Howard Baker , the Majority Leader , was already questioning the appropriateness and the relevance of the War Powers Act as an interactive tool between the two branches of government . He voiced the opinion that the country 's military involvement in other countries could not always start off with a prolonged tedious and divisive negotiation between the executive and the legislative branches of Government [because] The world and its many challenges to [American] interests simply do not allow [such] luxury (HOW AMERICA GOES TO WAR

Records would later show that that Lebanese episode was the first and only incident where Congress was able to invoke the War Powers Act Nevertheless , a compromise subsequently produced...