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...; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 5
(Senate - January 09, 2020)
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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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