U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

1 

49–011 2015

114th Congress, 1st Session – – – – – – – – – – – – – House Document 114–9 

AUTHORIZATION OF THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE 

WITH RESPECT TO ISIL 

MESSAGE 

FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 

TRANSMITTING

A DRAFT AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE 

AGAINST THE ISLAMIC STATE OF IRAQ AND THE LEVANT 

FEBRUARY 11, 2015.—Message and accompanying papers referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed 


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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, AbdulRahman 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. 


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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, AbdulRahman 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 partVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:27 Feb 12, 2015 Jkt 049011 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HD009.XXX HD009

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ners 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. 

Æ 


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