[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 23 (Wednesday, February 11, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H926-H927]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF MILITARY FORCE AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE OF 
 IRAQ AND THE LEVANT--MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 
                          (H. DOC. NO. 114-9)

  The SPEAKER laid before the House the following message from the 
President of the United States; which was read and, together with the 
accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
ordered to be printed:

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.

[[Page H927]]

                            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.

                          ____________________