[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5543 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5543
To prohibit the use of funds for unauthorized military force against
Iran, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 7, 2020
Mr. Khanna (for himself, Mr. Engel, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mr.
Schiff, Mr. McGovern, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Crow, Mr. Brown of
Maryland, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Levin of Michigan, Mr. Ted Lieu of
California, Ms. Haaland, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Pocan, Mr.
Gallego, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Omar, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Cicilline, Mr.
DeFazio, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Doggett, Ms. Pressley, Ms.
Norton, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Tonko,
Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Lowenthal, Ms. Moore, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Evans, Mr.
Welch, Mr. Huffman, Mr. Price of North Carolina, Mr. Johnson of
Georgia, Mr. Pallone, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Mr. Himes, Mr. Espaillat, Mr.
Blumenauer, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Spanberger, Mr. Phillips, and Mr. Cisneros)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services,
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of
the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prohibit the use of funds for unauthorized military force against
Iran, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``No War Against Iran Act''.
SEC. 2. PROHIBITION OF UNAUTHORIZED MILITARY FORCE IN OR AGAINST IRAN.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) The acquisition by the Government of Iran of a nuclear
weapon would pose a grave threat to international peace and
stability and the national security of the United States and
United States allies, including Israel.
(2) The Government of Iran is a leading state sponsor of
terrorism, continues to materially support the regime of Bashar
al-Assad, and is responsible for ongoing gross violations of
the human rights of the people of Iran.
(3) Article I of the United States Constitution requires
the President to obtain authorization from Congress before
engaging in war with Iran.
(b) Clarification of Current Law.--Nothing in the Authorization for
Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note), the
Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002
(Public Law 107-243; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note), or any other provision of
law enacted before the date of the enactment of this Act may be
construed to provide authorization for the use of military force
against Iran.
(c) Prohibition of Unauthorized Military Force in or Against
Iran.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), no
Federal funds may be obligated or expended for any use of
military force in or against Iran unless Congress has--
(A) declared war; or
(B) enacted specific statutory authorization for
such use of military force after the date of the
enactment of this Act that meets the requirements of
the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.).
(2) Exception.--The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall
not apply to a use of military force that is consistent with
section (2)(c) of the War Powers Resolution.
(d) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed--
(1) to prevent the President from using necessary and
appropriate force to defend United States allies and partners
if Congress enacts specific statutory authorization for such
use of force consistent with the requirements of the War Powers
Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.);
(2) to relieve the executive branch of restrictions on the
use of force, reporting, or consultation requirements set forth
in the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.); or
(3) to authorize the use of military force.
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