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 dis-
mantle, 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 re-
ferred to as Iraq’s ‘‘prohibited ballistic missile pro-
gram’’), and undertook unconditionally not to develop 
any such weapons thereafter; 
Whereas on numerous occasions since 1991, the United Na-
tions Security Council has reaffirmed Resolution 687,
•HJ 118 IH 
most recently in Resolution 1284, which established a 
new weapons inspection regime to ensure Iraqi compli-
ance 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 mis-
sile program; 
Whereas Iraq under Saddam Hussein used chemical weapons 
in its war with Iran in the 1980s and against the Kurd-
ish 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 obliga-
tions to destroy or dismantle its weapons of mass de-
struction program and its prohibited ballistic missile pro-
gram, 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
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives
of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This joint resolution may be cited as the ‘‘Prelimi-
nary Authorization for the Use of Force Against Iraq Res-
olution of 2002’’.
•HJ 118 IH 
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF UNITED STATES 
ARMED FORCES. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION FOR THE USE OF FORCE.—The 
President, subject to subsection (b), is authorized to use 
United States Armed Forces as he determines to be nec-
essary and appropriate—
(1) to enforce United Nations Security Council 
Resolution 687, and other resolutions approved by 
the Council which govern Iraqi compliance with Res-
olution 687, in order to secure the dismantlement or 
destruction of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction 
program and its prohibited ballistic missile program; 
or 
(2) in the exercise of individual or collective 
self-defense, to defend the United States or allied 
nations against a grave threat posed by Iraq’s weap-
ons of mass destruction program or its prohibited 
ballistic missile program. 
(b) REQUIREMENT FOR DETERMINATION THAT USE 
OF FORCE IS NECESSARY.—Before exercising the author-
ity granted by subsection (a)—
(1) the President shall make available to the 
Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 
President pro tempore of the Senate his determina-
tion that—
•HJ 118 IH 
(A) the United States has attempted to 
seek, through the United Nations Security 
Council, adoption of a resolution after Sep-
tember 12, 2002, under Chapter VII of the 
United Nations Charter authorizing the action 
described in subsection (a)(1), and such resolu-
tion has been adopted; or 
(B) the threat to the United States or al-
lied nations posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass 
destruction program or prohibited ballistic mis-
sile program is so grave that the use of force 
is necessary pursuant to subsection (a)(2), not-
withstanding the failure of the Security Council 
to approve a resolution described in paragraph 
(1); and 
(2) Congress shall approve the determination of 
the President referred to in paragraph (1) in a joint 
resolution enacted after the date of the enactment of 
this joint resolution. 
SEC. 3. CONSULTATION. 
The President shall keep Congress fully and currently 
informed on matters relevant to this joint resolution. 
SEC. 4. WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS. 
(a) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION.—Con-
sistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution,
•HJ 118 IH 
the Congress declares that section 2 is intended to con-
stitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning 
of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution. 
(b) APPLICABILITY
OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS.—
Nothing in this joint resolution supersedes any require-
ment of the War Powers Resolution.
Æ