[House Document 114-9]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




114th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - House Document 114-9
 
    AUTHORIZATION OF THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE WITH RESPECT TO ISIL

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

A DRAFT AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST THE ISLAMIC 
                      STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


  February 11, 2015.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
         Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed
                                     ______

                    U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 

49-011                         WASHINGTON : 2015        
         
         
         
         
To the Congress of the United States:
    The so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) 
poses a threat to the people and stability of Iraq, Syria, and 
the broader Middle East, and to U.S. national security. It 
threatens American personnel and facilities located in the 
region and is responsible for the deaths of U.S. citizens James 
Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla 
Mueller. If left unchecked, ISIL will pose a threat beyond the 
Middle East, including to the United States homeland.
    I have directed a comprehensive and sustained strategy to 
degrade and defeat ISIL. As part of this strategy, U.S. 
military forces are conducting a systematic campaign of 
airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq and Syria. Although existing 
statutes provide me with the authority I need to take these 
actions, I have repeatedly expressed my commitment to working 
with the Congress to pass a bipartisan authorization for the 
use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL. Consistent with this 
commitment, I am submitting a draft AUMF that would authorize 
the continued use of military force to degrade and defeat ISIL.
    My Administration's draft AUMF would not authorize long-
term, large-scale ground combat operations like those our 
Nation conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan. Local forces, rather 
than U.S. military forces, should be deployed to conduct such 
operations. The authorization I propose would provide the 
flexibility to conduct ground combat operations in other, more 
limited circumstances, such as rescue operations involving U.S. 
or coalition personnel or the use of special operations forces 
to take military action against ISIL leadership. It would also 
authorize the use of U.S. forces in situations where ground 
combat operations are not expected or intended, such as 
intelligence collection and sharing, missions to enable kinetic 
strikes, or the provision of operational planning and other 
forms of advice and assistance to partner forces.
    Although my proposed AUMF does not address the 2001 AUMF, I 
remain committed to working with the Congress and the American 
people to refine, and ultimately repeal, the 2001 AUMF. 
Enacting an AUMF that is specific to the threat posed by ISIL 
could serve as a model for how we can work together to tailor 
the authorities granted by the 2001 AUMF.
    I can think of no better way for the Congress to join me in 
supporting our Nation's security than by enacting this 
legislation, which would show the world we are united in our 
resolve to counter the threat posed by ISIL.

                                                      Barack Obama.
    The White House, February 11, 2015.
                            Joint Resolution

To authorize the limited use of the United States Armed Forces against 
        the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
    Whereas the terrorist organization that has referred to 
itself as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and various 
other names (in this resolution referred to as ``ISIL'') poses 
a grave threat to the people and territorial integrity of Iraq 
and Syria, regional stability, and the national security 
interests of the United States and its allies and partners;
    Whereas ISIL holds significant territory in Iraq and Syria 
and has stated its intention to seize more territory and 
demonstrated the capability to do so;
    Whereas ISIL leaders have stated that they intend to 
conduct terrorist attacks internationally, including against 
the United States, its citizens, and interests;
    Whereas ISIL has committed despicable acts of violence and 
mass executions against Muslims, regardless of sect, who do not 
subscribe to ISIL's depraved, violent, and oppressive ideology;
    Whereas ISIL has threatened genocide and committed vicious 
acts of violence against religious and ethnic minority groups, 
including Iraqi Christian, Yezidi, and Turkmen populations;
    Whereas ISIL has targeted innocent women and girls with 
horrific acts of violence, including abduction, enslavement, 
torture, rape, and forced marriage;
    Whereas ISIL is responsible for the deaths of innocent 
United States citizens, including James Foley, Steven Sotloff, 
Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla Mueller;
    Whereas the United States is working with regional and 
global allies and partners to degrade and defeat ISIL, to cut 
off its funding, to stop the flow of foreign fighters to its 
ranks, and to support local communities as they reject ISIL;
    Whereas the announcement of the anti-ISIL Coalition on 
September 5, 2014, during the NATO Summit in Wales, stated that 
ISIL poses a serious threat and should be countered by a broad 
international coalition;
    Whereas the United States calls on its allies and partners, 
particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, that have not 
already done so to join and participate in the anti-ISIL 
Coalition;
    Whereas the United States has taken military action against 
ISIL in accordance with its inherent right of individual and 
collective self-defense;
    Whereas President Obama has repeatedly expressed his 
commitment to working with Congress to pass a bipartisan 
authorization for the use of military force for the anti-ISIL 
military campaign; and
    Whereas President Obama has made clear that in this 
campaign it is more effective to use our unique capabilities in 
support of partners on the ground instead of large-scale 
deployments of U.S. ground forces: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This joint resolution may be cited as the ``Authorization 
for Use of Military Force against the Islamic State of Iraq and 
the Levant.''

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

    (a) Authorization.--The President is authorized, subject to 
the limitations in subsection (c), to use the Armed Forces of 
the United States as the President determines to be necessary 
and appropriate against ISIL or associated persons or forces as 
defined in section 5.
    (b) War Powers Resolution Requirements.--
    (1) Specific statutory authorization.--Consistent with 
section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 
1547(a)(1)), Congress declares that this section is intended to 
constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning 
of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 
1544(b)).
    (2) Applicability of other requirements.--Nothing in this 
resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers 
Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.).
    (c) Limitations.--The authority granted in subsection (a) 
does not authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces in 
enduring offensive ground combat operations.

SEC. 3. DURATION OF THIS AUTHORIZATION.

    This authorization for the use of military force shall 
terminate three years after the date of the enactment of this 
joint resolution, unless reauthorized.

SEC. 4. REPORTS.

    The President shall report to Congress at least once every 
six months on specific actions taken pursuant to this 
authorization.

SEC. 5. ASSOCIATED PERSONS OR FORCES DEFINED.

    In this joint resolution, the term ``associated persons or 
forces'' means individuals and organizations fighting for, on 
behalf of, or alongside ISIL or any closely-related successor 
entity in hostilities against the United States or its 
coalition partners.

SEC. 6. REPEAL OF AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST IRAQ.

    The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq 
Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243; 116 Stat. 1498; 50 
U.S.C. 1541 note) is hereby repealed.

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