I
104TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1111
To clarify the war powers of Congress and the President in the post-Cold
War period.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 2, 1995
Mr. DORNAN (for himself, Mr. HYDE, and Mr. FUNDERBURK) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Rela-
tions and, in addition, to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be sub-
sequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of
such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To clarify the war powers of Congress and the President
in the post-Cold War period.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REPEAL OF THE WAR POWERS RESOLUTION.
(a) WAR POWERS RESOLUTION.—The War Powers
Resolution (Public Law 93–148; 50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.)
is repealed.
(b) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Section 1013 of the De-
partment of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984
and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a) is repealed.
SEC. 2. CONSULTATION WITH CONGRESS.
(a) PRIOR CONSULTATION.—The President shall in
every possible instance consult with Congress before intro-
ducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into
situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is
clearly indicated by the circumstances.
(b) CONSULTATION
AFTER
INTRODUCTION
OF
ARMED FORCES.—The President shall, after every such
introduction, consult regularly with Congress until United
States Armed Forces are no longer engaged in hostilities
or have been removed from such situations.
SEC. 3. REPORTING TO CONGRESS.
(a) INITIAL REPORT.—The President shall, in the ab-
sence of a declaration of war, submit a report to Congress
in any case in which United States Armed Forces are in-
troduced—
(1) into hostilities or into a situation where im-
minent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated
by the circumstances;
(2) into the territory, airspace, or waters of a
foreign nation, while equipped for combat, except for
a deployment which relates solely to supply, replace-
ment, repair, or training of such forces; or
(3) in numbers which substantially enlarge
United States Armed Forces equipped for combat al-
ready located in a foreign nation.
(b) TIME
AND CONTENT
OF REPORT.—A report
under subsection (a) shall be submitted within 48 hours
of the introduction of United States Armed Forces de-
scribed in that subsection. Each such report shall be in
writing and shall set forth—
(1) the circumstances necessitating the intro-
duction of United States Armed Forces;
(2) the constitutional and legislative authority
under which such introduction took place; and
(3) the estimated scope and duration of the
hostilities or involvement.
(c) ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.—The President shall
provide such other information as Congress may request
in the fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities with
respect to committing the Nation to war and to the use
of United States Armed Forces abroad.
(d) PERIODIC REPORTS.—Whenever United States
Armed Forces are introduced into hostilities or into any
situation described in subsection (a), the President shall,
so long as such Armed Forces continue to be engaged in
such hostilities or situation, report to Congress periodi-
cally (and not less often than once every six months) on
the status of such hostilities or situation as well as on the
scope and duration of such hostilities or situation.
Æ