IIA 110th CONGRESS 1st Session S. J. RES. 15 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 25, 2007 Mr. Biden introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations JOINT RESOLUTION To revise United States policy on Iraq.

Whereas in October 2002, Congress approved, and the President signed into law, the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107–243); Whereas the preamble of Public Law 107–243 sets forth the threats to the national security of the United States that required the authorization for the use of force, and those threats were the Iraqi regime led by Saddam Hussein, its weapons of mass destruction programs, its past record of using chemical weapons, and its record of harboring and supporting international terrorist organizations; Whereas Saddam Hussein has been executed after conviction for committing crimes against humanity, United States intelligence and military units have not discovered weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and thorough reviews by the Iraq Survey Group and the Special Advisor to the Director of Central Intelligence on Iraq's weapons of mass destruction concluded that Iraq did not have any active weapons of mass destruction programs in the final years of the Saddam Hussein regime; Whereas with the removal of the Iraqi regime led by Saddam Hussein, the determination that there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and the establishment of a democratic constitution and a freely-elected government in Iraq, the United States objectives set forth in Public Law 107–243 are no longer relevant to the current situation; Whereas sectarian violence is the primary cause of instability in Iraq; Whereas, Iraqis must reach a comprehensive and sustainable political settlement in order to achieve stability, and the failure of the Iraqis to reach such a settlement is a primary cause of increasing violence in Iraq; and Whereas the responsibility for halting sectarian violence in Iraq must rest primarily with the Government of Iraq and Iraqi security forces, and not United States Armed Forces: Now, therefore, be it

1.

Short title

This joint resolution may be cited as the United States Policy in Iraq Resolution of 2007.

2.

Purpose

It is the purpose of this joint resolution to repeal the authorization for the use of force provided in 2002, to transition United States Armed Forces in Iraq to a more limited mission, and to secure the phased redeployment from Iraq of such forces not essential to that new mission.

3.

Repeal of 2002 resolution

The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107–243) is repealed.

4.

Authorization for the Use of United States Armed Forces

(a)

Authorization

The President is authorized to continue participation by United States Armed Forces in Multi-National Force—Iraq, or as part of a successor force, for the purposes of— (1)protecting United States and coalition personnel and infrastructure; (2)training, equipping, and providing logistical support to Iraqi Security Forces; (3)conducting targeted counter-terrorism operations; and (4)assisting the Government of Iraq to maintain the security of its international borders. (b)

Transition of Mission

The President shall promptly transition the mission of United States forces in Iraq from the mission authorized by section 3(a) of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107–243) to the limited purposes set forth in subsection (a). (c)

Commencement of Phased Redeployment from Iraq

The President shall commence the phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this joint resolution, with the goal of redeploying, by March 31, 2008, all United States combat forces from Iraq except for those essential for the limited purposes set forth in subsection (a). (d)

War Powers Resolution Requirements

(1)

Specific statutory authorization

Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution. (2)

Applicability of other requirements

Nothing in this joint resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.

5.

Construction

Nothing in this joint resolution shall be construed to— (a)limit measures necessary to provide for the safety and security of the Multi-National Force—Iraq, including United States Armed Forces; or (b)authorize offensive combat activities by United States Armed Forces in Iran, Syria, or any other state in the Middle East region.

6.

Report

The President shall submit to Congress not later than 90 days after enactment of this joint resolution, and every 90 days thereafter, a report outlining the activities of the United States Armed Forces pursuant to this joint resolution, and on the progress that has been made in training the security forces of Iraq and promoting a sustainable political settlement.

7.

Duration of authorization

The authorization under Section 4(a) shall expire on the date that is 12 months after the date of enactment of this joint resolution, unless Congress extends such authorization.