IV 
115TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1069 
Requiring the President to seek congressional authorization prior to any 
engagement of the United States Armed Forces against any adversary. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 13, 2018 
Ms. GABBARD for herself and Mr. JONES) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
RESOLUTION 
Requiring the President to seek congressional authorization 
prior to any engagement of the United States Armed 
Forces against any adversary. 
Whereas President Trump has clearly indicated an intention 
to use the United States Armed Forces against Syria, 
Russia, and Iran and has not presented a plan to Con-
gress, consulted with Congress, or sought authorization 
from Congress for the use of such forces; 
Whereas Congress has not authorized the use of military 
force against Syrian, Iranian, or Russian armed forces in 
any capacity, and has not declared war against any such 
governments; 
Whereas Congress has the sole power to declare war under 
article I, section 8, of the Constitution; 
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•HRES 1069 IH 
Whereas Section 3 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 
1542) requires the President, ‘‘in every possible in-
stance,’’ to consult with Congress before introducing the 
Armed Forces into situations of hostilities or imminent 
hostilities, and to continue consultations while the Armed 
Forces remain in such situations; 
Whereas Section 9018 of the Department of Defense Appro-
priations Act, 2018 (Division C of Public Law 115–141), 
states ‘‘None of the funds made available by this Act 
may be used with respect to Syria in contravention of the 
War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.), includ-
ing for the introduction of United States armed or mili-
tary forces into hostilities in Syria, into situations in 
Syria where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly 
indicated by the circumstances, or into Syrian territory, 
airspace, or waters while equipped for combat, in con-
travention of the congressional consultation and reporting 
requirements of sections 3 and 4 of that law (50 U.S.C. 
(6) 1542 and 1543).’’; 
Whereas, on September 10, 2018, President Trump’s Na-
tional Security Advisor John Bolton warned that Syria 
would face a ‘‘much stronger’’ United States response 
than the airstrikes on the Syrian government in April 
2017 and April 2018; 
Whereas, on September 6, 2018, the United States State De-
partment Representative for Syria Engagement, James 
Jeffrey, stated that now the United States will not tol-
erate ‘‘an attack. Period.’’ and that ‘‘Any offensive is to 
us objectionable as a reckless escalation.’’; 
Whereas, on September 7, 2018, the United States Ambas-
sador to the United Nations alluded to warfare when 
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warning Syria, Russia, and Iran of ‘‘dire consequences’’ 
for actions taken in Idlib, Syria; and 
Whereas, on September 12, 2018, the United States Ambas-
sador to the United Nations stated that ‘‘not just chem-
ical weapons would be addressed by the United States 
and our allies. But any offenses on the civilian people on 
Idlib was going to be dealt with’’: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that— 
(1) the President is required— 
(A) to seek congressional authorization 
prior to any engagement of the United States 
Armed Forces against Syria, Iran, or Russia; 
and 
(B) to consult with Congress ‘‘in every 
possible instance’’ before introducing the Armed 
Forces into situations of hostilities or imminent 
hostilities, in accordance with Section 3 of the 
War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1542); and 
(2) the use of the Armed Forces without con-
gressional authorization is illegal and unconstitu-
tional under article I, section 8 of the Constitution. 
Æ 
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