Who has the power to declare war according to the U.S. Constitution?

The power to declare war is granted to Congress according to the U.S. Constitution. This allocation of power is outlined in Article I, Section 8, which explicitly states that Congress has the authority to declare war and to raise and support armies. This was established to ensure that the decision to engage in conflict is made by the elected representatives of the people, reflecting democratic principles rather than being executed by a single individual. By placing this power in the hands of Congress, the Framers of the Constitution aimed to create a system of checks and balances, preventing any one branch of government from unilaterally deciding on matters of war and peace. This provision underscores the importance of collective decision-making in significant national issues and reinforces the role of the legislative branch in protecting the interests of the citizens.