IIA 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. J. RES. 43 

To authorize the use of force against the organization called the Islamic 

State in order to defend the American people and assist the Iraqi Government in expelling the Islamic State from their territory. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 

Mr. INHOFE introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice 

and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

JOINT RESOLUTION 

To authorize the use of force against the organization called 

the Islamic State in order to defend the American people 

and assist the Iraqi Government in expelling the Islamic 

State from their territory. 

Whereas the organization called the Islamic State or ‘‘IS’’, 

formerly known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, has murdered United States citizens; 

Whereas IS has threatened to kill United States citizens and 

the current leader of IS has stated that ‘‘[t]he war with 

you has just begun’’; 

Whereas the President of the United States and the Prime 

Minister of United Kingdom have jointly confirmed the 

threat posed by IS fighters returning to allied nations 

and American shores by stating that ‘‘[w]hether it is reVerDate Mar 15 2010 00:03 Sep 09, 2014 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SJ43.IS SJ43

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gional aggression going unchecked or the prospect that 

foreign fighters could return from Iraq and Syria to pose 

a threat in our countries, the problems we face today 

threaten the security of the British and American people, 

and the wider world’’; 

Whereas Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel has stated IS is 

‘‘as sophisticated and well-funded as any group that we 

have seen. . . .’’ and ‘‘. . . an imminent threat to every 

interest we have, whether it’s in Iraq or anywhere else. 

. . .’’; 

Whereas acts, such as the murder of United States citizens, 

and threats of other terrorist acts render it both necessary and appropriate that the United States exercise its 

rights to self-defense and to protect United States citizens both home and abroad; 

Whereas acts, such as the murder of United States citizens, 

and threats of other terrorist acts continue to pose an 

unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security 

and foreign policy of the United States; 

Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 

(‘‘UNSCR’’) 2169 notes the Islamic State’s advancement 

is a major threat to Iraq’s future, condemns the attacks 

by the Islamic State, reiterates the international community support for Iraq’s security and territorial integrity, 

and emphasizes ‘‘the need to continue efforts to promote 

international and regional cooperation aimed at supporting Iraq to prevent terrorist groups . . . in particular ISIL [IS], from using the territories of Iraq and 

neighboring States to carry out violence or other illicit 

acts to destabilize Iraq and the region . . .’’; 


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Whereas UNSCR 2169 further notes IS’s actions have resulted in ‘‘heavy human causalities including children, the 

displacement of more than one million Iraqi civilians and 

the threats against all religious and ethnic groups . . .’’; 

and 

Whereas the Iraqi Government has requested the assistance 

of the United States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives

2 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This joint resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Authoriza5 tion for Use of Force Against the Organization Called the 

6 Islamic State’’. 

7 SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES 

8 ARMED FORCES. 

9 (a) IN GENERAL.—That the President is authorized 

10 to use to use all necessary and appropriate force in order 

11 to defend the national security of the United States 

12 against the threat posed by the organization called the Is13 lamic State (or ‘‘IS’’), formally known as the Islamic State 

14 of Iraq and the Levant, as well as any successor organiza15 tion. 

16 (b) WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS.— 

17 (1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION.— 

18 Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers 

19 Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is 

20 intended to constitute specific statutory authorizaVerDate Mar 15 2010 00:03 Sep 09, 2014 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SJ43.IS SJ43

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1 tion within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War 

2 Powers Resolution. 

3 (2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIRE4 MENTS.—Nothing in this joint resolution supercedes 

5 any requirement of the War Powers Resolution. 

6 SEC. 3. REPORTS TO CONGRESS. 

7 (a) STRATEGY.—Not later than 15 days after the 

8 date of the enactment of this joint resolution, the Presi9 dent shall submit to Congress a written report setting 

10 forth a comprehensive strategy of the United States to de11 feat the organization called the Islamic State, as well as 

12 any successor organization, by using all appropriate mili13 tary, economic, and political capabilities of the United 

14 States. 

15 (b) IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGY.—Not later 

16 than 90 days after the submittal of the report required 

17 by subsection (a) and every 90 days thereafter, the Presi18 dent shall submit to Congress a written report setting 

19 forth a current comprehensive description and assessment 

20 of the implementation of the strategy set forth in the re21 port required by subsection (a). If the President makes 

22 a substantive change to the comprehensive strategy, the 

23 President will immediately submit a written report to Con24 gress which articulates the change, the reason for the 


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1 change and the change’s effect on the rest of the com2 prehensive strategy. 

Æ 


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