IA 

107TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. J. RES. 118

To provide preliminary authorization for the use of force against Iraq. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 7, 2002

Mr. UDALL of Colorado introduced the following joint resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on International Relations 

JOINT RESOLUTION

To provide preliminary authorization for the use of force 

against Iraq.

Whereas under United Nations Security Council Resolution 

687 (1991), which effected a formal cease-fire following 

the Persian Gulf War, Iraq agreed to destroy or dismantle, under international supervision, its nuclear, 

chemical, and biological weapons programs (hereafter in 

this joint resolution referred to as Iraq’s ‘‘weapons of 

mass destruction program’’), as well as its program to 

develop or acquire ballistic missiles with a range greater 

than 150 kilometers (hereafter in this joint resolution referred to as Iraq’s ‘‘prohibited ballistic missile program’’), and undertook unconditionally not to develop 

any such weapons thereafter; 

Whereas on numerous occasions since 1991, the United Nations Security Council has reaffirmed Resolution 687, 
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most recently in Resolution 1284, which established a 

new weapons inspection regime to ensure Iraqi compliance with its obligations under Resolution 687; 

Whereas on numerous occasions since 1991, the United 

States and the United Nations Security Council have 

condemned Iraq’s failure to fulfill its obligations under 

Resolution 687 to destroy or dismantle its weapons of 

mass destruction program and its prohibited ballistic missile program; 

Whereas Iraq under Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons 

in its war with Iran in the 1980s and against the Kurdish population in northern Iraq in 1988; 

Whereas since 1990, the United States has considered Iraq 

to be a state sponsor of terrorism; and 

Whereas Iraq’s failure to comply with its international obligations to destroy or dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program and its prohibited ballistic missile program, its record of using weapons of mass destruction, 

its record of using force against neighboring states, and 

its support for international terrorism require a strong 

diplomatic, and if necessary, military response by the 

international community, led by 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 ‘‘Prelimi5 nary Authorization for the Use of Force Against Iraq Res6 olution of 2002’’. 
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1 SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF UNITED STATES 

2 ARMED FORCES. 

3 (a) AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF FORCE.—The 

4 President, subject to subsection (b), is authorized to use 

5 United States Armed Forces as he determines to be nec6 essary and appropriate—

7 (1) to enforce United Nations Security Council 

8 Resolution 687, and other resolutions approved by 

9 the Council which govern Iraqi compliance with Res10 olution 687, in order to secure the dismantlement or 

11 destruction of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction 

12 program and its prohibited ballistic missile program; 

13 or 

14 (2) in the exercise of individual or collective 

15 self-defense, to defend the United States or allied 

16 nations against a grave threat posed by Iraq’s weap17 ons of mass destruction program or its prohibited 

18 ballistic missile program. 

19 (b) REQUIREMENT FOR DETERMINATION THAT USE

20 OF FORCE IS NECESSARY.—Before exercising the author21 ity granted by subsection (a)—

22 (1) the President shall make available to the 

23 Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 

24 President pro tempore of the Senate his determina25 tion that—
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1 (A) the United States has attempted to 

2 seek, through the United Nations Security 

3 Council, adoption of a resolution after Sep4 tember 12, 2002, under Chapter VII of the 

5 United Nations Charter authorizing the action 

6 described in subsection (a)(1), and such resolu7 tion has been adopted; or 

8 (B) the threat to the United States or al9 lied nations posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass 

10 destruction program or prohibited ballistic mis11 sile program is so grave that the use of force 

12 is necessary pursuant to subsection (a)(2), not13 withstanding the failure of the Security Council 

14 to approve a resolution described in paragraph 

15 (1); and 

16 (2) Congress shall approve the determination of 

17 the President referred to in paragraph (1) in a joint 

18 resolution enacted after the date of the enactment of 

19 this joint resolution. 

20 SEC. 3. CONSULTATION. 

21 The President shall keep Congress fully and currently 

22 informed on matters relevant to this joint resolution. 

23 SEC. 4. WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS. 

24 (a) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION.—Con25 sistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, 
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1 the Congress declares that section 2 is intended to con2 stitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning 

3 of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution. 

4 (b) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS.—

5 Nothing in this joint resolution supersedes any require6 ment of the War Powers Resolution.

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