Imagine what the public response would be if former President George W. Bush, during his term of office, had engaged in armed conflict with some country without securing Congressional authorization under the War Powers Resolution, adopted in 1973. That resolution allows the President to engage in "hostilities" for a period of 60 days (with a further 30-day withdrawal period) without Congressional authorization, so that he/she would have the necessary freedom to act immediately to protect the national interest. For example, if American citizens were in danger in some country and American military forces were needed to rescue them, the President could do that on his own discretion and get out. However, if he wants to stay more than 60 days, he is required to come to the Congress, explain why and seek Congressional authorization.

Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) according to The New York Times of June 16th, "had sent a letter to Mr. Obama warning him that he appeared to be out of time under the Vietnam-era law that says presidents must terminate a mission 60 or 90 days after notifying Congress that troops have been deployed into hostilities, unless lawmakers authorize the operation to continue."