; 50 U.S.C. 1541 ), the constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces . (4) Nuclear weapons are uniquely powerful weapons that have the capability to instantly kill millions of people, create long-term health and environmental consequences throughout the world, directly undermine global peace, and put the United States at existential risk from retaliatory nuclear strikes. (5) By any definition of war, a first-use nuclear strike from the United States would constitute a major act of war. (6) A first-use nuclear strike conducted absent a declaration of war by Congress would violate the Constitution. (b) Declaration of policy It is the policy of the United States that no first-use nuclear strike should be conducted absent a declaration of war by Congress. 3. Prohibition on conduct of first-use nuclear strikes (a) Prohibition Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the President may not use the Armed Forces of the United States to conduct a first-use nuclear strike unless such strike is conducted pursuant to a declaration of war by Congress that expressly authorizes such strike. (b) First-Use nuclear strike defined In this section, the term first-use nuclear strike means an attack using nuclear weapons against an enemy that is conducted without the President determining that the enemy has first launched a nuclear strike against the United States or an ally of the United States.