Which branch of government has the power to declare war?

The correct choice, Congress, holds the authority to declare war according to the U.S. Constitution. This responsibility is explicitly outlined in Article I, Section 8, which grants Congress the power to "declare war." This framework was established to ensure that the decision to engage the nation in military conflict rests with the elected representatives of the people, rather than with a single individual.

This separation of powers is designed to prevent any one branch of government from having unilateral control over military action. The framers of the Constitution intended for Congress, which is composed of representatives from various states, to debate and discuss the implications of war, reflecting a wide range of perspectives and interests.

In contrast, while the Executive Branch, which includes the President, plays a significant role in the conduct of war and has the authority to direct military operations, it does not possess the power to formally declare war without Congressional approval. The Senate also does not have the power to declare war independently, as it is part of Congress but does not encompass its entire legislative body. The Supreme Court's role is predominantly judicial and does not extend to matters of declaring or engaging in war.