What power does the Constitution grant Congress in relation to the military?

The Constitution grants Congress the power to control military spending and declare war, which is rooted in the necessity for legislative oversight and accountability regarding military actions and financial appropriations. Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution explicitly gives Congress the authority to raise and support armies, provide and maintain a navy, and declare war. This design ensures that decisions about engaging in war and allocating resources for defense reflect the will of the representatives of the people, rather than resting solely with the executive branch.

This balance of power is crucial for maintaining democratic control over military forces and preventing any single branch of government from unilaterally engaging the nation in conflict or mismanaging military funding. While the President is the Commander in Chief and has certain roles related to the military, Congress holds the purse strings and makes critical decisions about military engagement, thereby playing a vital role in national defense policy.