Even though the executive has the war powers act it stills has to go through the congress because it has to notify congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days. Also it intendeds to limit the president's authority to conduct war and gives the president a congressional declaration of war by only the permission of Congress.
Congress has the power to limit presidential war powers.
The Constitution divides Congress and the president's war powers. Only Congress can declare war and appropriate military funding. Even though the president is the commander and chief of the armed forces it has put itself in conflict. For example after president Nixon ordered the bombing of Cambodia without Congress's consent. Congress knew that the executive branch was exceeding its constitutional authority. By this Congress passed the "Powers resolution" of 1973 that intended to limit the president's authority to conduct war. Also it gave the president a congressional declaration of war by only the permission of Congress.
Which is more powerful congress or the executive branch?
Congress is more powerful than the executive branch because congress is the central law making body to which the two other branches, judicial and the executive, respond. Congress has enumerated powers and can use the necessary and proper clause elastically. Congress makes and discusses laws that govern the U.S. and overrides presidential vetoes. Article I, Section 1, of the constitution declares that “All legislative powers are vested in a Congress of the United States.” Some of these enumerated powers consist of making banks, declaring war, and coining money.
A standing army is good for national defense. A Standing army must exist, the political system outlined by the Constitution would prevent such a force from threatening American liberty.
“Congress shall have power to raise and support armies.” -Sec 8, clause 12, Art 1
The new federal courts were necessary to provide checks and balances on the power of the other two branches of government. By providing checks and balances the federal courts could be equal and fair with each other, so there wouldn't have to be conflicts on which courts would have more power than others.
What Hamilton means that it does not add or take away from government powers is for example the "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness". The "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" does not add or take away from the government powers.
As Hamilton argued that it would not matter if the necessary and proper clause was deleted from the constitution, it does not add or take away from government powers. “Wherever a general power to do a thing is given every particular power necessary for doing it, is included.” -Fed No. 44
