HR 66 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To recognize the extraordinary performance of the Armed Forces in achieving the military objectives of the United States in Iraq, to terminate the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), to require congressional reauthorization to continue deployment of the Armed Forces to Iraq, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 6, 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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 concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To recognize the extraordinary performance of the Armed Forces in achieving the military objectives of the United States in Iraq, to terminate the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), to require congressional reauthorization to continue deployment of the Armed Forces to Iraq, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Military Success in Iraq And Diplomatic Surge for National and Political Reconciliation in Iraq Act of 2009’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--MILITARY SUCCESS IN IRAQ ACT OF 2009

Sec. 101. Declarations of policy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Repeal of Public Law 107-243.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Withdrawal of United States Armed Forces and contractor security forces from Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--DIPLOMATIC SURGE FOR JUSTICE, PEACE, AND SUCCESS IN IRAQ ACT OF 2009

Sec. 201. United States policy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Presidential actions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 203. Rule of construction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 204. Reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--MILITARY SUCCESS IN IRAQ ACT OF 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. DECLARATIONS OF POLICY.

Congress makes the following declarations of policy:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The authorization for use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) is the sole basis of authority under which the President of the United States launched the invasion of Iraq in 2003.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Congress authorized the President to use military force against Iraq to achieve the following two objectives:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) To defend the national security of the United States--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by disarming Iraq of any weapons of mass destruction that could threaten the security of the United States and international peace in the Persian Gulf region;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by changing the Iraqi regime so that Saddam Hussein and his Baathist party no longer posed a threat to the people of Iraq or its neighbors;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) by bringing to justice any members of al Qaeda bearing responsibility for the attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, known or found to be in Iraq; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) by ensuring that the regime of Saddam Hussein would not provide weapons of mass destruction to international terrorists, including al Qaeda.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) To enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Whenever military force is authorized pursuant to an Act of Congress, such authorization of military force automatically expires upon the achievement of the objectives stated in the Act of Congress.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Congress has the ultimate authority to determine when and whether the objectives stated in an Act of Congress which authorizes the use of military force have been achieved.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. REPEAL OF PUBLIC LAW 107-243.

(a) Findings- Congress finds that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) the objectives of the authorization for use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) have been achieved; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) the authorization of military force contained in Public Law 107-243 has expired.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Repeal of Public Law 107-243- The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) is hereby repealed.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES AND CONTRACTOR SECURITY FORCES FROM IRAQ.

(a) Withdrawal of Armed Forces and Contractor Security Forces From Iraq- Not later than October 1, 2009, or 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, whichever shall occur first, all units and members of the Armed Forces deployed to Iraq and all security forces under contract or subcontract with the United States Government and working in Iraq shall be withdrawn from Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Prohibition on Use of Funds To Continue Deployment of Armed Forces to Iraq-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) PROHIBITION- Except as provided in paragraph (2), funds appropriated or otherwise made available under any provision of law may not be obligated or expended to deploy or continue to deploy members or units of the Armed Forces to Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) EXCEPTION- Paragraph (1) does not apply to the use of funds to provide for the safe and orderly withdrawal of the Armed Forces and contractor security forces from Iraq pursuant to subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Exception- Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply if a Joint Resolution which provides specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)) for the deployment or continued deployment of units and members of the Armed Forces and contractor security forces to Iraq is enacted into law during the time period described in subsection (a).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Armed Forces Defined- In this section, the term ‘Armed Forces’ has the meaning given the term in section 101(a)(4) of title 10, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--DIPLOMATIC SURGE FOR JUSTICE, PEACE, AND SUCCESS IN IRAQ ACT OF 2009CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. UNITED STATES POLICY.

It shall be the policy of the United States to pursue regional and international initiatives and steps to assist the Government of Iraq to achieve certain security, political, and economic milestones so as to marginalize extremists and terrorists, promote United States values and interests, and improve the global image of the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS.

To implement the policy set forth in section 201, the President shall take the following actions:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Not later than ten days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the United States, working with the Government of Iraq, shall launch a comprehensive diplomatic initiative to deal with the problems of Iraq and of the region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The goals of the diplomatic initiative as it relates to regional players shall be to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) support the unity and territorial integrity of Iraq, with the assistance of bona fide international peacekeeping force if necessary;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) stop destabilizing interventions and actions by Iraq’s neighbors;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) secure Iraq’s borders, including the use of joint patrols with neighboring countries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) prevent the expansion of the instability and conflict beyond Iraq’s borders;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(E) promote economic assistance, commerce, trade, political support, and, if possible, military assistance for the Government of Iraq from non-neighboring Muslim countries;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(F) energize countries to support national political reconciliation in Iraq;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(G) validate Iraq’s legitimacy by resuming diplomatic relations, where appropriate, and reestablishing embassies in Baghdad;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(H) assist Iraq to establish active working embassies in key capitals in the region (for example, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) help Iraq reach a mutually acceptable agreement on Kirkuk; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(J) assist the Government of Iraq achieve certain security, political, and economic milestones, including better performance on issues such as national reconciliation, equitable distribution of oil revenues, and the dismantling of militias.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) As a complement to the diplomatic initiative, the President shall appoint a Special Envoy for National and Political Reconciliation in Iraq (‘SENPRI’) whose exclusive commission shall be to undertake the peaceful reconciliation of the major stakeholders in Iraq, particularly the Sunnis, Shias, and Kurds. The SENPRI shall meet with such persons, organizations, and entities, and make such recommendations, as he deems necessary and expedient for bringing about national and political reconciliation in Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) As a further complement to the diplomatic initiative, the United States and the Government of Iraq shall support the holding of a conference or meeting in Baghdad of the Organization of the Islamic Conference or the Arab League to assist the Government of Iraq to promote national reconciliation in Iraq and to reestablish the diplomatic presence in Iraq of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Arab League.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) As an instrument of the diplomatic initiative, an Iraq International Support Group shall be organized.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The Iraq International Support Group shall consist of Iraq and all the countries bordering Iraq, including Iran and Syria, the key regional countries, including Egypt and the Gulf States, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, and such other industrialized countries that might contribute to resolving political, diplomatic, and security problems affecting Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The diplomatic initiative and the work of the Iraq International Support Group shall be carried out with urgency, and shall be conducted by and organized at the level of foreign minister or above, and the United States efforts shall be led by the President or the Secretary of State and shall be both bilateral and multilateral.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) The Iraq International Support Group shall enlist the participation of the office of the United Nations Secretary General in its work. The Secretary General should designate a Special Envoy as the representative of the Secretary General.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) The Iraq International Support Group, as part of the diplomatic initiative, shall develop specific approaches to neighboring countries that take into account the differing interests, perspectives, and potential contributions of each such country.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) Diplomatic efforts within the Iraq International Support Group shall seek to persuade Iran that it should take specific steps to improve the situation in Iraq, including the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Iran should stem the flow of equipment, technology, and training to any group resorting to violence in Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Iran should affirm its support for the territorial integrity of Iraq as a unified state, as well as its respect for the sovereignty of Iraq and its government.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Iran should use its influence, especially over Shia groups in Iraq, to encourage national reconciliation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) Iran should help in the economic reconstruction of Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) The United States and the Iraq International Support Group shall encourage Syria to take specific steps to improve the situation in Iraq, including the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) Syria should control its border with Iraq to the maximum extent possible and work together with Iraqis on joint patrols on the border to stem the flow of funding, insurgents, and terrorists in and out of Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Syria should establish hotlines to exchange information with the Iraqis.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) Syria should increase its political and economic cooperation with Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 203. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this title shall be construed to prohibit or otherwise restrict the use of funds available to any department or agency of the United States to carry out social and economic reconstruction activities in Iraq.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 204. REPORTS.

The President shall submit to Congress every 30 days a report on the status of diplomatic efforts described in section 202.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink