Which of the following entities has the power to declare war?

The power to declare war is constitutionally vested in Congress. This authority is outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, which gives Congress the exclusive power to make declarations of war and regulate the armed forces. This provision ensures that representatives of the people, who are members of the legislative branch, have a say in the critical decision to engage in war, rather than allowing this significant responsibility to rest solely with the executive branch, represented by the President.

While the President can lead military operations and act as Commander in Chief of the armed forces, the formal declaration of war requires the approval of Congress. This reflects the Founding Fathers' intention to create a system of checks and balances between the branches of government, preventing any one branch from having unilateral control over military engagement. The Senate plays a role in foreign relations and ratification of treaties, but the ultimate power to declare war resides with Congress as a whole. The Supreme Court, on the other hand, does not have jurisdiction over matters of war declaration; its function is to interpret the law and the Constitution rather than engage in military or legislative action.