[House Document 118-85]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




118th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - House Document 118-85

 
   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, PUB. LAW 93-148, PURSUANT TO 50 U.S.C. 1543(c); 
              PUBLIC LAW 93-148, SEC. 4(c); (87 STAT. 555)






[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]






 November 24, 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 22, 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, which have caused injuries to United States personnel, 
have placed under grave threat the lives of United States 
personnel and of Coalition forces operating alongside United 
States forces.
    As I reported on October 27, 2023, November 10, 2023, and 
November 14, 2023, in response to this series of attacks and 
the threat of future attacks, at my direction, United States 
forces conducted targeted strikes against facilities in Syria 
used by IRGC and IRGC-affiliated groups.
    On the night of November 21, 2023, at my direction, United 
States forces conducted discrete strikes against facilities in 
Iraq used by the IRGC and IRGC-affiliated groups for command 
and control, logistics, and other purposes. The strikes were 
taken to deter future attacks and were conducted in a manner 
designed to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian 
casualties. I directed the strikes in order to protect and 
defend our personnel who are in Iraq and Syria conducting 
military operations pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for Use 
of Military Force. The strikes were intended 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 a 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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