<P> The Constitution also gives Congress an important role in national defense , including the exclusive power to declare war , to raise and maintain the armed forces , and to make rules for the military . Some critics charge that the executive branch has usurped Congress 's Constitutionally - defined task of declaring war . While historically presidents initiated the process for going to war , they asked for and received formal war declarations from Congress for the War of 1812 , the Mexican -- American War , the Spanish -- American War , World War I , and World War II , although President Theodore Roosevelt 's military move into Panama in 1903 did not get Congressional assent . Presidents have initiated war without Congressional war declarations ; Truman called the Korean War a `` police action '' and the Vietnam War lasted over a decade without a declaration of war . In 1970 , Time magazine noted : `` All told , it has been calculated , U.S. presidents have ordered troops into position or action without a formal congressional declaration a total of 149 times '' before 1970 . In 1993 , one writer noted `` Congress 's war power has become the most flagrantly disregarded provision in the Constitution , '' and that the `` real erosion ( of Congressional authority to declare war ) began after World War II . '' President George H.W. Bush claimed he could begin Operation Desert Storm and launch a `` deliberate , unhurried , post -- Cold War decision to start a war '' without Congressional approval . Critics charge that President George W. Bush largely initiated the Iraq War with little debate in Congress or consultation with Congress , despite a Congressional vote on military force authorization . Disagreement about the extent of congressional versus presidential power regarding war has been present periodically throughout the nation 's history . </P>
<P> The Constitution also gives Congress an important role in national defense , including the exclusive power to declare war , to raise and maintain the armed forces , and to make rules for the military . Some critics charge that the executive branch has usurped Congress 's Constitutionally - defined task of declaring war . While historically presidents initiated the process for going to war , they asked for and received formal war declarations from Congress for the War of 1812 , the Mexican -- American War , the Spanish -- American War , World War I , and World War II , although President Theodore Roosevelt 's military move into Panama in 1903 did not get Congressional assent . Presidents have initiated war without Congressional war declarations ; Truman called the Korean War a `` police action '' and the Vietnam War lasted over a decade without a declaration of war . In 1970 , Time magazine noted : `` All told , it has been calculated , U.S. presidents have ordered troops into position or action without a formal congressional declaration a total of 149 times '' before 1970 . In 1993 , one writer noted `` Congress 's war power has become the most flagrantly disregarded provision in the Constitution , '' and that the `` real erosion ( of Congressional authority to declare war ) began after World War II . '' President George H.W. Bush claimed he could begin Operation Desert Storm and launch a `` deliberate , unhurried , post -- Cold War decision to start a war '' without Congressional approval . Critics charge that President George W. Bush largely initiated the Iraq War with little debate in Congress or consultation with Congress , despite a Congressional vote on military force authorization . Disagreement about the extent of congressional versus presidential power regarding war has been present periodically throughout the nation 's history . </P>
who has the power to create an army
who has the power to create an army
Congress
Congress