Summary of Amendments Submitted to the Rules Committee to H. J. Res. 114, Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq
Listed in Alphabetical Order
October 7, 2002 (11:15AM)
Bartlett #16
Requires a new U.N. Security Council resolution calling for the elimination of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction program before authorizing the President to use force. LATE
Davis/Cardin/Menendez #10
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Makes clear that the resolution authorizes the use of military force only for the purpose of securing the dismantlement of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. Equips the President with the credible threat of force he needs to try to respond to any threat posed by Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. Emphasizes the importance of international support and the U.N. Security Council by encouraging the President to exhaust his diplomatic efforts at the U.N., but reserves the right to act unilaterally if the U.N. fails to approve a new resolution requiring the dismantlement of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction in a timely fashion. Calls on the President to seek a new U.N. resolution to enforce inspections, and if the U.N. does not act, the amendment would require the President to make a formal declaration that Iraq’s threat is so grave as to warrant unilateral military action by the U.S. Raises the standard for justification of going to war by raising the risk assessment from “continuing” to “grave.”
Hastings (FL) #2
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to be offered en bloc with Hastings (FL) #4. Authorizes the President to use U.S. armed forces to defend U.S. interests against the threat posed by Iraq contingent upon the President meeting eight conditions of authority. These include, but are not limited to: a commitment that the war on terrorism remain the Nation’s highest priority; a plan for continued stabilization in Afghanistan; proof that Iraq continues to attempt to obtain weapons of mass destruction (WMD); proof that Iraq poses an imminent threat to U.S. interest; verification that all peaceful means to obtain compliance with U.N. Security Council resolutions have been exhausted; verification that a U.N. Security Council resolution regarding Iraq’s noncompliance with previous resolutions has been sought; a plan for stabilizing a free Iraq; and a commitment to protect the health and safety of the Iraqi people. WITHDRAWN
Hastings (FL) #3
Amends section 3 of the joint resolution to require the President to provide Congress with a plan for the long-term cultural, economic and political stabilization in a free Iraq, to include estimates on the cost, time and number of U.S. and allied forces that will be required to achieve that stabilization. Amends section 4 of the joint resolution to direct the President to provide status reports to the Congress on the progress of the aforementioned every 60 days.
Hastings (FL) #4
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to be offered en bloc with Hastings (FL) #2. Strikes the preamble and replaces with a similar preamble. WITHDRAWN
Hastings (FL) #17
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Strikes the preamble and replaces with a similar preamble. Authorizes the President to use U.S. armed forces to defend U.S. interests against the threat posed by Iraq contingent upon the President meeting eight conditions of authority. These include, but are not limited to: a commitment that the war on terrorism remain the Nation’s highest priority; a plan for continued stabilization in Afghanistan; proof that Iraq continues to attempt to obtain weapons of mass destruction (WMD); proof that Iraq poses an imminent threat to U.S. interest; verification that all peaceful means to obtain compliance with U.N. Security Council resolutions have been exhausted; verification that a U.N. Security Council resolution regarding Iraq’s noncompliance with previous resolutions has been sought; a plan for stabilizing a free Iraq; and a commitment to protect the health and safety of the Iraqi people. LATE
Hoyer #15
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Expresses the sense of the House that Iraq allow inspectors into the country, calls on the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution authorizing a multi-national military response for a failure to comply and states Congress’ intent to authorize the President to use force if these conditions are not met. LATE - WITHDRAWN
Inslee #18
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Provides for a sense of Congress that the President should continue with efforts through the U.N. to disarm Iraq and that the President should seek new U.N. Security council resolutions that call for full and unconditional compliance, increased staff and resources and unconditional access to all sites. Stipulates that the President may seek the authorization of congress to use military force after certain Presidential certifications are met. Provides for an expedited process for consideration of a Presidential request for authorized use of military force. WITHDRAWN
Jackson-Lee #13
Provides that the U.S. policy of supporting regime change in Iraq, as articulated in Public Law 105-338, precludes the use of U.S. military forces in effecting that change except in a few enumerated areas not involving actual combat.
Jackson-Lee #19
Requires that Congress issue a declaration of war against Iraq prior to the U.S. armed forces initiating military action in a manner beyond the scope of that which they are presently authorized under existing law. LATE
Lee #6
Urges the U.S. to re-engage the diplomatic process and stresses our government’s commitment to the U.N. inspections process.
Obey #12
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Authorizes the President to use the armed forces of the U.S. to destroy, remove, or render harmless Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, pursuant to a resolution of the U.N. Security Council and requires the Congress to stay in session so that it might consider further authorizations to proceed if the Security Council fails to act.WITHDRAWN
Paul #7
Requires the President to seek and be granted a constitutionally-mandated (Article I, Section 8) declaration of war prior to the use of the armed forces of the U.S. against Iraq.
Rush #9
Requires that after commencement of military action in Iraq the President’s 60 day report to Congress must include a tally of known civilian casualties. Requires the President report to Congress on estimated military and civilian casualties before engagement in military action. Requires the President present to Congress information on Iraqi support of terrorist organizations before engaging in military action.
Schakowsky/Watson #14
Requires the President to certify that U.S. troops have the equipment and preparation necessary for entering into battle theater where chemical biological weapons may be present. LATE
Sherman #1
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Authorizes force only if Iraq fails to promptly agree to an effective weapons and disarmament program, or if Iraq interferes with such a program in the future. Defines such an effective inspection and disarmament program as requiring immediate, unobstructed and unannounced entry into all facilities in Iraq. Directs the President to seek U.N. resolutions which achieve these aims, but it does not condition the President’s authority to use force on U.N. action.
Spratt/Moran (VA)/Allen/Snyder/Price/Larson/Levin/Matsui/Clyburn #11
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Authorizes the use of U.S. armed forces to support any new U.N. Security Council resolution that mandates the elimination, by force if necessary, of all Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, long-range ballistic missiles, and the means of producing such weapons and missiles. Request that the President seek authorization from Congress to use the armed forces of the U.S. in the absence of a U.N. Security council resolution sufficient to eliminate by force if necessary, all Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, long-range ballistic missiles, and the means of producing such weapons and missiles. Provides expedited consideration for authorization in the latter case.
Udall #8
Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute. Conditions the authorization of use of force against Iraq upon both: a Presidential determination that either the U.N. Security Council has adopted a new resolution authorizing such action or that the threat to the U.S. or its allies from Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs is so grave that the use of force is required despite the failure of the U.N. security Council to approve such a resolution; and adoption of a subsequent joint resolution by Congress.
Wynn #5
Requires that before authorizing the use of military force against Iraq the U.S. use all diplomatic means to disarm Iraq, including seeking the adoption by the U.N. Security Council of a resolution which requires unconditional, unfettered weapons inspections of all suspected facilities and sites in Iraq. Should, after sixty days, the U.N. Security Council fail to adopt resolutions requiring stricter inspections as mentioned above, or should Iraq fail to fully cooperate, or interfere, with such inspections, the President would be authorized to use all necessary force against Iraq.
* Summaries derived from information submitted by the amendment sponsors.
