[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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