19–008

108TH CONGRESS REPORT " HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ! 1st Session 108–38

REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT TO TRANSMIT TO THE 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS RELATING 

TO IRAQ’S DECLARATION ON ITS WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION

MARCH 18, 2003.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. HYDE, from the Committee on International Relations, 

submitted the following 

ADVERSE REPORT 

[To accompany H. Res. 68]

The Committee on International Relations, to whom was referred the resolution (H. Res. 68) requesting the President to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after 

the date of the adoption of this resolution documents in the President’s possession relating to Iraq’s declaration on its weapons of 

mass destruction that was provided to the United Nations on December 7, 2002, having considered the same, reports unfavorably 

thereon without amendment and recommends that the resolution 

not be agreed to.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 1

Background and Need for the Legislation ............................................................. 2

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 2

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 3

Votes of the Committee ........................................................................................... 3

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 3

New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures ...................................................... 3

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 3

Performance Goals and Objectives ......................................................................... 3

New Advisory Committees ...................................................................................... 3

Congressional Accountability Act ........................................................................... 3

Federal Mandates .................................................................................................... 3

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

House Resolution 68 requests the President to transmit to the 

House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the date of 

its adoption documents in the President’s possession relating to 

2

Iraq’s declaration on its weapons of mass destruction that was provided to the United Nations on December 7, 2002. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION

House Resolution 68 is a resolution of inquiry, which pursuant 

to clause 7 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, directs the Committee to act on the resolution within 14 legislative days, or a priviliged motion to discharge the Committee is 

in order. H. Res. 68 was introduced and referred to the Committee 

on International Relations on February 12, 2003, and was ordered 

reported adversely by the Committee on March 12, 2003. 

Under the rules and precedents of the House, a resolution of inquiry is the means by which the House requests information from 

the President of the United States or the head of one of the executive departments. According to Deschler’s Procedure it is a ‘‘simple 

resolution making a direct request or demand of the President or 

the head of an executive department to furnish the House of Representatives with specific factual information in the possession of 

the executive branch.’’

The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1441, 

which directed the Government of Iraq to provide United Nations 

weapons inspectors with a complete and accurate declaration of all 

aspects of its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs, 

and ballistic missile systems, as well as information on other chemical, biological, and nuclear programs that were supposed to be for 

civilian purposes. Iraq submitted a Declaration to the Security 

Council on December 7, 2002. The complete text of that declaration 

was made available to each permanent member of the Security 

Council, including the United States. 

In his remarks addressed to the House of Representatives when 

introducing the resolution of inquiry, the sponsor of House Resolution 68 requested that the ‘‘primary documents be transmitted in 

their complete and unedited form’’ to Congress. Subsequently, the 

Department of State transmitted a full and unedited copy of the 

declaration to the House. The Speaker directed the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to retain custody of the documents 

because it has the facilities to handle classified documents. The 

declaration, consisting of approximately 12,000 pages of documents, 

is classified SECRET and contains information relating to weapons 

design and weapons of mass destruction. 

The declaration is available for review by Members, consistent 

with House Rule XXIII, the Code of Official Conduct, which governs access by Members to classified information. The declaration 

is also available for review by staff with appropriate security clearances who have executed a nondisclosure oath or affirmation. 

Because the House had possession of the declaration, which the 

sponsor indicated he wanted transmitted to the House, prior to the 

Committee’s markup, the Committee deemed the resolution to be 

moot and, accordingly, ordered it reported adversely by voice vote. 

HEARINGS

The Committee did not hold hearings on H. Res. 68. 

3

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On March 12, 2003, the Committee met in open session and ordered unfavorably reported the resolution of inquiry H. Res. 68 

without amendment by voice vote, a quorum being present. 

VOTE OF THE COMMITTEE

The Committee held no recorded votes. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

The Committee has no oversight findings or recommendations 

pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY AND TAX EXPENDITURES

Clause 3(c)(2) of House Rule XIII is inapplicable because H. Res. 

68 does not provide new budgetary authority or increased tax expenditures. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

The Committee estimates costs will be minimal. 

PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The rule requiring a statement of performance goals and objectives is inapplicable because the resolution does not provide any 

funding. 

NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEES

H. Res. 68 does not establish or authorize any new advisory committees. 

CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

H. Res. 68 does not apply to the legislative branch. 

FEDERAL MANDATES

H. Res. 68 provides no Federal mandates.

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