IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1535 
Expressing disapproval of the Agreement Between the United States of Amer-
ica and the Republic of Iraq on the Withdrawal of United States Forces 
from Iraq and the Organization of Their Activities During Their Tem-
porary Presence in Iraq, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 10, 2008 
Ms. LEE (for herself, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. STARK, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. PAUL, 
Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. LEWIS of Georgia) submitted the following reso-
lution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Expressing disapproval of the Agreement Between the United 
States of America and the Republic of Iraq on the With-
drawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Orga-
nization of Their Activities During Their Temporary 
Presence in Iraq, and for other purposes. 
Whereas the Framers of the Constitution of the United 
States intended that all significant foreign commitments 
by the United States Government be made by treaty or 
statute; 
Whereas the Constitution of the United States gives Congress 
the power to declare war, to raise and support armies, to 
provide and maintain a navy, to make rules governing 
such forces, to provide for organizing and calling forth 
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•HRES 1535 IH 
the militia, to make rules concerning captures on land 
and water, and to regulate commerce with foreign na-
tions; 
Whereas the Constitution of the United States also gives 
Congress the power to make all laws necessary for car-
rying out the powers vested in the Government, and the 
power to raise and spend money; 
Whereas in addition, the Senate has the responsibility of con-
firming appointments to diplomatic posts and by two- 
thirds vote must give its advice and consent to treaties 
before such treaties become effective; 
Whereas Congress, established in article I of the Constitution 
of the United States, is a co-equal branch of the Govern-
ment, and each Member of Congress, regardless of polit-
ical party, must resist encroachment by the executive 
branch on the constitutional prerogatives of Congress; 
Whereas on November 26, 2007, and without congressional 
consultation or input, United States President George W. 
Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed 
the U.S.-Iraq Declaration of Principles for Friendship 
and Cooperation, a shared statement of intent that estab-
lished common principles to frame the future relationship 
between the United States and Iraq; 
Whereas President Bush publicly stated that the relationship 
envisioned in the U.S.-Iraq Declaration of Principles for 
Friendship and Cooperation includes cooperation between 
the United States and Iraq in the political, diplomatic, 
economic, and security arenas; 
Whereas President Bush declared his intent, during 2008, to 
negotiate and conclude before he leaves office detailed ar-
rangements that will codify the bilateral relationship be-
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•HRES 1535 IH 
tween the United States and Iraq following the expiration 
of the mandate of the Multi-National Force—Iraq under 
chapter VII of the United Nations Charter and the con-
comitant resumption of Iraq’s normal status as a state 
with full legal and functional sovereignty and authorities 
and the restoration of Iraq’s legal international status; 
Whereas on November 17, 2008, Iraqi Foreign Minister 
Hoshiyar Zebari and United States Ambassador to Iraq 
Ryan Crocker signed the Agreement Between the United 
States of America and the Republic of Iraq on the With-
drawal of United States Forces from Iraq and the Orga-
nization of Their Activities During Their Temporary 
Presence in Iraq (hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Agree-
ment’’); 
Whereas the Agreement contemplates a timetable that could 
leave United States troops in Iraq until December 31, 
2011, which would cost American taxpayers more than 
$360 billion based on current spending levels, money that 
could be better spent in the United States to revive the 
Nation’s sagging economy; 
Whereas the Agreement undermines the constitutional powers 
of the next president by subjecting United States military 
operations to the approval of the Iraqi government, not-
withstanding that throughout history, United States 
troops have been subjected to foreign control in peace-
keeping operations only where authorized under treaties 
ratified by the Senate; 
Whereas the Agreement subjects thousands of private mili-
tary contractors to Iraqi courts in the event that they are 
charged with crimes but does not specify the law to be 
applied or the procedural safeguards that must be ob-
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