I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3709 
To amend the War Powers Resolution to limit the use of funds for 
introduction of the Armed Forces into hostilities, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 16, 2011 
Mr. GIBSON (for himself, Mr. BARTLETT, Mr. BENISHEK, Mr. BROOKS, Mr. 
BURTON of Indiana, Mr. DAVIS of Kentucky, Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee, 
Ms. FOXX, Mr. GOSAR, Mr. JOHNSON of Ohio, Mr. LABRADOR, Mr. 
LANKFORD, Mr. LATOURETTE, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. MULVANEY, 
Mr. NUGENT, Mr. PENCE, Mr. REED, Mr. RIBBLE, Mr. ROONEY, Mr. 
ROSS of Florida, Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. SHIMKUS, Mr. 
SMITH of New Jersey, and Mr. STIVERS) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition 
to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined 
by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall 
within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To amend the War Powers Resolution to limit the use of 
funds for introduction of the Armed Forces into hos-
tilities, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘War Powers Reform 
Act’’. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
20:26 Dec 23, 2011
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3709.IH
H3709
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 2. PURPOSE AND POLICY. 
Section 2(c) of the War Powers Resolution (50 
U.S.C. 1541(c)) is amended— 
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
striking ‘‘are exercised’’ and inserting ‘‘may be exer-
cised’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (3), by inserting after ‘‘at-
tack’’ the following: ‘‘or imminent threat of attack’’. 
SEC. 3. CONSULTATION AND REPORTING. 
Section 3 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 
1542) is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘AND REPORT-
ING’’ after ‘‘CONSULTATION’’; 
(2) by striking ‘‘The President’’ and inserting 
the following: 
‘‘(a) CONSULTATION.—The President’’; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(b) REPORTING.—The President in every possible 
instance shall submit to Congress before introducing 
United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situa-
tions where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly 
indicated by the circumstances a report, in writing, setting 
forth the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities 
or involvement.’’. 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
20:26 Dec 23, 2011
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3709.IH
H3709
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
SEC. 4. REPORTING. 
Section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution (50 
U.S.C. 1543(a)) is amended by inserting ‘‘or a specific 
statutory authorization’’ after ‘‘a declaration of war’’. 
SEC. 5. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR INTRODUCTION 
OF ARMED FORCES INTO HOSTILITIES. 
The War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.) 
is amended— 
(1) by striking sections 5, 6, and 7; 
(2) by redesignating sections 8, 9, and 10 as 
sections 6, 7, and 8, respectively; and 
(3) by inserting after section 4 the following: 
‘‘LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS 
‘‘SEC. 5. (a) No funds available for the United States 
Armed Forces may be obligated or expended for introduc-
tion of the Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations 
where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indi-
cated by the circumstances, in the absence of a declaration 
of war, specific statutory authorization, or a national 
emergency created by an attack or imminent threat of at-
tack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, 
or the Armed Forces. 
‘‘(b) It shall not be in order in the House of Rep-
resentatives or the Senate to consider any bill or joint res-
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
20:26 Dec 23, 2011
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3709.IH
H3709
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS
olution that would make funds available in violation of 
subsection (a).’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Mar 15 2010 
20:26 Dec 23, 2011
Jkt 019200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H3709.IH
H3709
jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with BILLS