Title: Requiring the President to seek congressional authorization prior to any engagement of the United States Armed Forces against any adversary.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the President is required to: (1) seek congressional authorization prior to any engagement of the U.S. Armed Forces against Syria, Iran, or Russia; and (2) consult with Congress before introducing the U.S. Armed Forces into situations of hostilities.
Expresses the sense of the House that the use of the U.S. Armed Forces without congressional authorization is illegal and unconstitutional.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1069 Introduced in House (IH)]

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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 Congress, 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;
Whereas Section 3 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1542) requires the 
        President, ``in every possible instance,'' 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 Appropriations 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.), including for the 
        introduction of United States armed or military 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 
        contravention 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 National 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 Department Representative 
        for Syria Engagement, James Jeffrey, stated that now the United States 
        will not tolerate ``an attack. Period.'' and that ``Any offensive is to 
        us objectionable as a reckless escalation.'';
Whereas, on September 7, 2018, the United States Ambassador to the United 
        Nations alluded to warfare when warning Syria, Russia, and Iran of 
        ``dire consequences'' for actions taken in Idlib, Syria; and
Whereas, on September 12, 2018, the United States Ambassador to the United 
        Nations stated that ``not just chemical 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 Representatives 
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 congressional 
        authorization is illegal and unconstitutional under article I, 
        section 8 of the Constitution.
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