[House Document 118-80]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]





118th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - House Document 118-80 
 
  A LETTER INFORMING CONGRESS OF ACTION TAKEN CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR 
                  POWERS RESOLUTION, PUBLIC LAW 93-148

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

  A LETTER INFORMING CONGRESS OF ACTION TAKEN CONSISTENT WITH THE WAR 
 POWERS RESOLUTION, PUBLIC LAW 93-148, PURSUANT TO 50 U.S.C. 1543(c); 
              PUBLIC LAW 93-148, SEC. 4(c); (87 STAT. 555)






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 November 13, 2023.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed  
                         
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                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
                 
49-011                   WASHINGTON : 2023
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, November 10, 2023.
Hon. Mike Johnson,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: As I have reported previously, militia 
groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps 
(IRGC) have perpetrated a series of attacks against United 
States personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria. These 
attacks, including more than a dozen attacks over the last 
week, have placed under grave threat the lives of United States 
personnel and Coalition operating alongside United States 
forces.
    As I reported on October 27, 2023, in response to this 
series of attacks and continuing threats of future attacks, at 
my direction, United States forces conducted targeted strikes 
against facilities in eastern Syria used by the IRGC and IRGC-
affiliated groups.
    On the night of November 8, 2023, at my direction, United 
States forces conducted a precision strike against a facility 
in eastern Syria used by the IRGC and IRGC-affiliated groups 
for weapons storage and other purposes. The strike was taken to 
establish deterrence and was conducted in a manner designed to 
limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties. I 
directed the strike in order to protect and defend our 
personnel, to degrade and disrupt the ongoing series of attacks 
against the United States and our partners, and to deter Iran 
and Iran-backed militia groups from conducting or supporting 
further attacks on United States personnel and facilities.
    I directed this military action consistent with my 
responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home 
and abroad and in furtherance of United States national 
security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my 
constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief 
Executive and to conduct United States foreign relations. The 
United States took this necessary and proportionate action 
consistent with international law and in the exercise of the 
United States inherent right of self-defense as reflected in 
Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The United States 
stands ready to take further action, as necessary and 
appropriate, to address further threats or attacks.
    I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep 
the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the 
Congress in this action.
            Sincerely,
                                               Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

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