Which body has the power to declare war?

• A. The President
• B. The Supreme Court
• C. Congress
• D. The Vice President

Answer: (C)

Declaring war is a power given to Congress. The Constitution assigns Congress the authority to raise and fund the armed forces and to formally declare war. The President, as Commander in Chief, can lead military actions and operations, but a formal declaration of war requires Congress. The Supreme Court interprets laws, not declare wars, and the Vice President does not have a separate war-declaration power. Historically, Congress has used its declaring-war power to authorize major conflicts, such as during World War II, making Congress the branch that officially begins a war.