[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 24 Introduced in House (IH)]
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 24
Requiring the President to report to Congress specific information
relating to certain possible consequences of the use of United States
Armed Forces against Iraq.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 25, 2003
Mr. Brown of Ohio (for himself, Mrs. Tauscher, and Mr. Hoeffel)
introduced the following joint resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on International Relations
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Requiring the President to report to Congress specific information
relating to certain possible consequences of the use of United States
Armed Forces against Iraq.
Whereas Saddam Hussein is a repressive dictator who has demonstrated through his
own actions, including the invasion of Kuwait and the oppression of the
Iraqi people, that it is necessary for the international community to
ensure his conduct is in accordance with international law;
Whereas on September 12, 2002, President Bush committed the United States to
``work with the United Nations Security Council to meet our common
challenge'' posed by Iraq and to ``work for the necessary resolutions'',
while also making clear that ``the Security Council resolutions will be
enforced, and the just demands of peace and security will be met, or
action will be unavoidable'';
Whereas the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of
2002 (Public Law 107-243; 116 Stat. 1498), enacted into law on October
16, 2002, authorizes the President to use United States Armed Forces to
defend the national security of the United States against the threat
posed by Iraq and to enforce all relevant United Nations Security
Council resolutions regarding Iraq;
Whereas section 2 of Public Law 107-243 calls on the President to obtain prompt
and decisive action by the United Nations Security Council to ensure
that Iraq complies with all such relevant Security Council resolutions;
Whereas Congress recognizes the efforts of the President to obtain unanimous
approval for United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 (2002)
which affords Iraq ``a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament
obligations under relevant resolutions of the Council'';
Whereas section 4 of Public Law 107-243 states that ``the President shall, at
least once every 60 days, submit to the Congress a report on matters
relevant to this joint resolution, including actions taken pursuant to
the exercise of authority granted in section 3 [to use the Armed Forces
against Iraq] and the status of planning for efforts that are expected
to be required after such actions are completed'';
Whereas section 3 of the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148) states that
``[t]he President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress
before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into
situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly
indicated by the circumstances'';
Whereas section 3(b) of Public Law 107-243 states that ``[i]n connection with
the exercise of the authority granted in subsection (a) to use force the
President shall, prior to such exercise'' make available to Congress his
determination that ``acting pursuant to this joint resolution is
consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take
the necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist
organizations, including those nations, organizations, or persons who
planned, authorized, committed or aided the terrorist attacks that
occurred on September 11, 2001'';
Whereas section 4(b) of the War Powers Resolution states that ``[t]he President
shall provide such other information as the Congress may request in the
fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities with respect to
committing the Nation to war''; and
Whereas additional information needed for Congress to fulfill its constitutional
responsibilities with respect to committing the Nation to war has not
been provided to Congress: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This joint resolution may be cited as the ``Presidential Report on
Iraq Resolution of 2003''.
SEC. 2. REPORTING REQUIREMENT.
(a) Report.--The President shall, prior to using United States
Armed Forces against Iraq pursuant to section 3(a) of the Authorization
for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law
107-243; 116 Stat. 1498), report to Congress the following:
(1) A determination that further diplomatic or other
peaceful means will not adequately protect the national
security of the United States against the threat posed by Iraq.
(2) A full accounting of the implications, both positive
and negative, of initiating military action against Iraq in
regard to homeland security, the war on terrorism, regional
stability in the Middle East and the Middle East peace process,
and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
(3) The steps the United States and its allies will take to
ensure that any and all weapons of mass destruction and the
related knowledge base will be safeguarded from dispersal to
other rogue states or international terrorist organizations.
(4) The United States' plan for achieving long-term social,
economic, and political stabilization of a post-conflict Iraq,
including a plan to provide humanitarian assistance to the
Iraqi people and to ensure respect of their human rights, as
well as bringing to justice the individuals responsible for
serious violations of international humanitarian and human
rights law committed in Iraq.
(5) The nature and extent of the international support for
military action against Iraq and the impact of military action
against Iraq on allied support for the broader war on
terrorism.
(6) The steps the United States and its allies will take to
protect United States soldiers, allied forces, and Iraqi
civilians from any known or suspected environmental hazards
resulting from military operations, an estimate of the American
and allied military casualties, Iraqi military casualties, and
Iraqi civilian casualties resulting from military action
against Iraq, and measures that will be taken to prevent
civilian casualties and adhere to international humanitarian
law.
(7) An estimate of the full costs associated with military
action against Iraq, including, but not limited to, providing
humanitarian aid to the Iraqi people and to neighboring nations
in light of possible refugee flows, reconstructing Iraq with or
without allied support, and securing long-term political
stability in Iraq and the region insofar as it is affected by
such military action.
(8) The anticipated short and long term effects of military
action on the United Sates economy and the Federal budget.
(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the report
required by subsection (a) should be delivered by the President in the
form of a public address to a joint session of Congress.
SEC. 3. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this joint resolution supersedes any requirement of the
War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148).
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