[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 5 (Thursday, January 9, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 33--DIRECTING THE PRESIDENT PURSUANT TO 
   SECTION 5(C) OF THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION TO TERMINATE THE USE OF 
 UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES TO ENGAGE IN HOSTILITIES IN OR AGAINST IRAN

  Mr. UDALL submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 33

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. TERMINATION OF USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES 
                   TO ENGAGE IN HOSTILITIES IN OR AGAINST IRAN.

       (a) Findings.--Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The Government of Iran is a leading state sponsor of 
     terrorism and engages in a range of destabilizing activities 
     across the Middle East. Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was 
     the lead architect of much of Iran's destabilizing activities 
     throughout the world.
       (2) The United States has an inherent right to self-defense 
     against imminent armed attacks. The United States maintains 
     the right to ensure the safety of diplomatic personnel 
     serving abroad.
       (3) In matters of imminent armed attacks, the executive 
     branch should indicate to Congress why military action was 
     necessary within a certain window of opportunity, the 
     possible harm that missing the window would cause, and why 
     the action was likely to prevent future disastrous attacks 
     against the United States.
       (4) The United States has national interests in preserving 
     its partnership with Iraq and other countries in the region, 
     including by--
       (A) combating terrorists, including the Islamic State of 
     Iraq and Syria (ISIS);
       (B) preventing Iran from achieving a nuclear weapons 
     capability; and
       (C) supporting the people of Iraq, Iran, and other 
     countries throughout the Middle East who demand an end to 
     government corruption and violations of basic human rights.
       (5) Over the past eight months, in response to rising 
     tensions with Iran, the United States has introduced over 
     15,000 additional forces into the Middle East.
       (6) When the United States uses military force, the 
     American people and members of the United States Armed Forces 
     deserve a credible explanation regarding such use of military 
     force.
       (7) The War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.) 
     requires the President to consult with Congress ``in every 
     possible instance'' before introducing United States Armed 
     Forces into hostilities.
       (8) Congress has not authorized the President to use 
     military force against Iran.
       (b) Termination.--Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War 
     Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), Congress hereby 
     directs the President to terminate the use of United States 
     Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or 
     any part of its government or military, unless--
       (1) Congress has declared war or enacted specific statutory 
     authorization for such use of the Armed Forces; or
       (2) such use of the Armed Forces is necessary and 
     appropriate to defend against an imminent armed attack upon 
     the United States, its territories or possessions, or its 
     Armed Forces, consistent with the requirements of the War 
     Powers Resolution.
       (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed--
       (1) to prevent the President from using military force 
     against al Qaeda or associated forces;
       (2) to limit the obligations of the executive branch set 
     forth in the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.);
       (3) to affect the provisions of an Act or joint resolution 
     of Congress specifically authorizing the use of United States 
     Armed Forces to engage in hostilities against Iran or any 
     part of its government or military that is enacted after the 
     date of the adoption of this concurrent resolution;
       (4) to prevent the use of necessary and appropriate 
     military force to defend United States allies and partners if 
     authorized by Congress consistent with the requirements of 
     the War Powers Resolution; or
       (5) to authorize the use of military force.

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