Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002,Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (PDF) informally known as the Iraq Resolution, was a joint resolution passed by the United States Congress in October 2002 as Public Law No. 107-243, authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against Saddam Hussein's Ba'athist Iraqi government in what would be known as Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was repealed by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.

Contents The resolution cited many factors as justifying the use of military force against Iraq: Iraq's noncompliance with the conditions of the 1991 ceasefire agreement, including interference with U.N. weapons inspectors. Iraq "continuing to possess and develop a significant chemical and biological weapons capability" and "actively seeking a nuclear weapons capability" posed a "threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the Persian Gulf region." Iraq's "brutal repression of its civilian population." Iraq's "capability and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction against other nations and its own people". Iraq's hostility towards the United States as demonstrated by the 1993 assassination attempt on former president George H. W. Bush and firing on coalition aircraft enforcing the no-fly zones following the 1991 Gulf War. Members of al-Qaeda, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq. Iraq's "continu[ing] to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations," including anti-United States terrorist organizations. Iraq paid bounty to families of suicide bombers. The efforts by the Congress and the President to fight terrorists, and those who aided or harbored them. The authorization by the Constitution and the Congress for the President to fight anti-United States terrorism. The governments in Israel, Turkey, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia feared Saddam and wanted him removed from power. Citing the Iraq Liberation Act of 1998, the resolution reiterated that it should be the policy of the United States to remove the Saddam Hussein regime and promote a democratic replacement. The resolution "supported" and "encouraged" diplomatic efforts by President George W. Bush to "strictly enforce through the U.N. Security Council all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq" and "obtain prompt and decisive action by the Security Council to ensure that Iraq abandons its strategy of delay, evasion, and noncompliance and promptly and strictly complies with all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq."

The resolution authorized President Bush to use the Armed Forces of the United States "as he determines to be necessary and appropriate" in order to "defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions regarding Iraq."

Passage An authorization by Congress was sought by President George W. Bush soon after his September 12, 2002 statement before the U.N. General Assembly asking for quick action by the Security Council in enforcing the resolutions against Iraq.

Of the legislation introduced by Congress in response to President Bush's requests,, Congressional Record, Library of Congress. sponsored by Sen. Daschle and Sen. Lott was based on the original White House proposal authorizing the use of force in Iraq, sponsored by Rep. Hastert and Rep. Gephardt and the substantially similar sponsored by Sen. Lieberman were modified proposals. sponsored by Rep. Hastings was a separate proposal never considered on the floor. Eventually, the Hastert–Gephardt proposal became the legislation Congress focused on.

Passage of the full resolution

Introduced in Congress on October 2, 2002, in conjunction with the administration's proposals,, Congressional Record, Library of Congress passed the House of Representatives on Thursday afternoon at 3:05 p.m. EDT on October 10, 2002, by a vote of 296–133, and passed the Senate after midnight early Friday morning, at 12:50 a.m. EDT on October 11, 2002, by a vote of 77–23. It was signed into law as by President Bush on October 16, 2002.

United States House of Representatives Party Yeas Nays Not VotingRepublican215 6 2Democratic 81126 1 Independent 01 0TOTALS 296 133 3

215 (96.4%) of 223 Republican representatives voted for the resolution. 81 (39.2%) of 208 Democratic representatives voted for the resolution. 6 (<2.7%) of 223 Republican representatives voted against the resolution: Reps. Duncan (R-TN), Hostettler (R-IN), Houghton (R-NY), Leach (R-IA), Morella (R-MD), Paul (R-TX). 126 (~60.3%) of 209 Democratic representatives voted against the resolution. The only Independent representative voted against the resolution: Rep. Sanders (I-VT) Reps. Ortiz (D-TX), Roukema (R-NJ), and Stump (R-AZ) did not vote on the resolution.

United States Senate Party Yeas Nays Republican 48 1Democratic29 21Independent 01TOTALS 77 23

29 (58%) of 50 Democratic senators voted for the resolution. Those voting for the resolution were: Sens. Baucus (D-MT), Bayh (D-IN), Biden (D-DE), Breaux (D-LA), Cantwell (D-WA), Carnahan (D-MO), Carper (D-DE), Cleland (D-GA), Clinton (D-NY), Daschle (D-SD), Dodd (D-CT), Dorgan (D-ND), Edwards (D-NC), Feinstein (D-CA), Harkin (D-IA), Hollings (D-SC), Johnson (D-SD), Kerry (D-MA), Kohl (D-WI), Landrieu (D-LA), Lieberman (D-CT), Lincoln (D-AR), Miller (D-GA), Nelson (D-FL), Nelson (D-NE), Reid (D-NV), Rockefeller (D-WV), Schumer (D-NY), and Torricelli (D-NJ). 21 (42%) of 50 Democratic senators voted against the resolution. Those voting against the resolution were: Sens. Akaka (D-HI), Bingaman (D-NM), Boxer (D-CA), Byrd (D-WV), Conrad (D-ND), Corzine (D-NJ), Dayton (D-MN), Durbin (D-IL), Feingold (D-WI), Graham (D-FL), Inouye (D-HI), Kennedy (D-MA), Leahy (D-VT), Levin (D-MI), Mikulski (D-MD), Murray (D-WA), Reed (D-RI), Sarbanes (D-MD), Stabenow (D-MI), Wellstone (D-MN), and Wyden (D-OR).

1 (2%) of 49 Republican senators voted against the resolution: Sen. Chafee (R-RI). The only independent senator voted against the resolution: Sen. Jeffords (I-VT)

Amendments offered to the House Resolution

Lee Amendment

Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to have the United States work through the United Nations to seek to resolve the matter of ensuring that Iraq is not developing weapons of mass destruction, through mechanisms such as the resumption of weapons inspections, negotiation, enquiry, mediation, regional arrangements, and other peaceful means. Sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA).H.AMDT.608 – Amendment in the nature of a substitute of H.J.RES.114 , 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10

Failed by the Ayes and Nays: 72 – 355On Agreeing to the Lee of California Substitute Amendment, 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, Clerk of the House, 2002-10-10

Spratt Amendment

Amendment in the nature of a substitute sought to authorize the use of U.S. armed forces to support any new U.N. Security Council resolution that mandated 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. Requested that the president should 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. Provided expedited consideration for authorization in the latter case. Sponsored by Rep. John Spratt (D-SC-5).H.AMDT.609 – Amendment in the nature of a substitute of H.J.RES.114 , 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10 Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 155 – 270On Agreeing to the Spratt of South Carolina Substitute Amendment, 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, Clerk of the House, 2002-10-10

House Rules Amendment

An amendment considered as adopted pursuant to the provisions of H.RES.574 – Providing for the consideration of the joint resolution (H.J.RES.114), 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, Library of Congress, 2002-10-08 Sponsored by House Rules.H.AMDT.610 – Amendment considered as adopted pursuant to the provisions of H.Res.574 , 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10 Resolution (H.RES.574) agreed to by voice voteOn Agreeing to Resolve H.RES.574 , 107th Congress, U.S. House of Representatives, Library of Congress, 2002-10-08

Amendments offered to the Senate Resolution

Byrd Amendments

To provide statutory construction that constitutional authorities remain unaffected and that no additional grant of authority is made to the president not directly related to the existing threat posed by Iraq. Sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV).S.AMDT.4868 – Providing for Statuary Construction in the Consideration of the Joint Resolution (S.J.RES.45) , 107th Congress, U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10 Amendment SA 4868 not agreed to by Yea-Nay Vote: 14 – 86On Agreeing to the Amendment (Byrd Amdt. No. 4868), 107th Congress, U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10 To provide a termination date for the authorization of the use of the Armed Forces of the United States, together with procedures for the extension of such date unless Congress disapproves the extension. Sponsored by Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV).S.AMDT.4869 – Providing for Congressional Construction in the Consideration of the Joint Resolution (S.J.RES.45) , 107th Congress, U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10 Amendment SA 4869 not agreed to by Yea-Nay Vote: 31 – 66On Agreeing to the Amendment (Byrd Amdt. No. 4869), 107th Congress, U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10

Levin Amendment To authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces, pursuant to a new resolution of the United Nations Security Council, to destroy, remove, or render harmless Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons-usable material, long-range ballistic missiles, and related facilities, and for other purposes. Sponsored by Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI).S.AMDT.4862 – Providing for Congressional Construction in the Consideration of the Joint Resolution (S.J.RES.45) , 107th Congress, U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10 Amendment SA 4862 not agreed to by Yea-Nay Vote: 24 – 75On Agreeing to the Amendment (Levin Amdt. No. 4862), 107th Congress, U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10

Durbin Amendment

To amend the authorization for the use of the Armed Forces to cover an imminent threat posed by Iraq's weapons of mass destruction rather than the continuing threat posed by Iraq. Sponsored by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL).S.AMDT.4865 – Providing for Congressional Amendment in the Consideration of the Joint Resolution (S.J.RES.45) , 107th Congress, U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10 Amendment SA 4865 not agreed to by Yea-Nay Vote: 30 – 70On Agreeing to the Amendment (Byrd Amdt. No. 4865), 107th Congress, U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, 2002-10-10

Legal challenges U.S. law

The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit refused to review the legality of the invasion in 2003, citing a lack of ripeness.