CHAPTER 33 - WAR POWERS RESOLUTION
Title 50 > CHAPTER 33
Sections (26)
§ 1541 Purpose and policy
(a) Congressional declaration It is the purpose of this chapter to fulfill the intent of the framers of the Constitution of the United States and insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and the President will apply to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, and to the continued use of such forces in hostilities or in such situations.
(b) Congressional legislative power under necessary and proper clause Under article I, section 8, of the Constitution, it is specifically provided that the Congress shall have the power to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution, not only its own powers but also all other powers vested by the Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
(c) Presidential executive power as Commander-in-Chief; limitation The constitutional powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, are exercised only pursuant to (1) a declaration of war, (2) specific statutory authorization, or (3) a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.
“SECTION 1 SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES OPERATIONS IN HAITI.
(“(a) the men and women of the United States Armed Forces in Haiti who are performing with professional excellence and dedicated patriotism are to be commended;
(“(b) the President should have sought and welcomed Congressional approval before deploying United States Armed Forces to Haiti;
(“(c) the departure from power of the de facto authorities in Haiti, and Haitian efforts to achieve national reconciliation, democracy and the rule of law are in the best interests of the Haitian people;
(“(d) the President’s lifting of the unilateral economic sanctions on Haiti, and his efforts to bring about the lifting of economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations are appropriate; and
(“(e) Congress supports a prompt and orderly withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces from Haiti as soon as possible.
“SEC. 2 PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT OF NATIONAL SECURITY OBJECTIVES.
“The President shall prepare and submit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives (hereafter, ‘Congress’) not later than seven days after enactment of this resolution [ Oct. 25, 1994 ] a statement of the national security objectives to be achieved by Operation Uphold Democracy, and a detailed description of United States policy, the military mission and the general rules of engagement under which operations of United States Armed Forces are conducted in and around Haiti, including the role of United States Armed Forces regarding Haitian on Haitian violence, and efforts to disarm Haitian military or police forces, or civilians. Changes or modifications to such objectives, policy, military mission, or general rules of engagement shall be submitted to Congress within forty-eight hours of approval.
“SEC. 3 REPORT ON THE SITUATION IN HAITI.
(“(a) a listing of the units of the United States Armed Forces and of the police and military units of other nations participating in operations in and around Haiti;
(“(b) the estimated duration of Operation Uphold Democracy and progress toward the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces from Haiti consistent with the goal of section 1(e) of this resolution;
(“(c) armed incidents or the use of force in or around Haiti involving United States Armed Forces or Coast Guard personnel in the time period covered by the report;
(“(d) the estimated cumulative incremental cost of all United States activities subsequent to September 30, 1993 , in and around Haiti, including but not limited to— the cost of all deployments of United States Armed Forces and Coast Guard personnel, training, exercises, mobilization, and preparation activities, including the preparation of police and military units of the other nations of the multinational force involved in enforcement of sanctions, limits on migration, establishment and maintenance of migrant facilities at Guantanamo Bay and elsewhere, and all other activities relating to operations in and around Haiti; and the costs of all other activities relating to United States policy toward Haiti, including humanitarian assistance, reconstruction, aid and other financial assistance, and all other costs to the United States Government;
(“(e) a detailed accounting of the source of funds obligated or expended to meet the costs described in subparagraph (d), including— in the case of funds expended from the Department of Defense budget, a breakdown by military service or defense agency, line item and program, and in the case of funds expended from the budgets of departments and agencies other than the Department of Defense, by department or agency and program;
(“(f) the Administration plan for financing the costs of the operations and the impact on readiness without supplemental funding;
(“(g) a description of the situation in Haiti, including— the security situation; the progress made in transferring the functions of government to the democratically elected government of Haiti; and progress toward holding free and fair parliamentary elections;
(“(h) a description of issues relating to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH), including— the preparedness of the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) to deploy to Haiti to assume its functions; troop commitments by other nations to UNMIH; the anticipated cost to the United States of participation in UNMIH, including payments to the United Nations and financial, material and other assistance to UNMIH; proposed or actual participation of United States Armed Forces in UNMIH; proposed command arrangements for UNMIH, including proposed or actual placement of United States Armed Forces under foreign command; and the anticipated duration of UNMIH.
“SEC. 4 REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS.
“Not later than January 1, 1995 , the Secretary of State shall report to Congress on the participation or involvement of any member of the de jure or de facto Haitian government in violations of internationally-recognized human rights from December 15, 1990 , to December 15, 1994 .
“SEC. 5 REPORT ON UNITED STATES AGREEMENTS.
“Not later than November 15, 1994 , the Secretary of State shall provide a comprehensive report to Congress on all agreements the United States has entered into with other nations, including any assistance pledged or provided, in connection with United States efforts in Haiti. Such report shall also include information on any agreements or commitments relating to United Nations Security Council actions concerning Haiti since 1992.
“SEC. 6 TRANSITION TO UNITED NATIONS MISSION IN HAITI.
“Nothing in this resolution should be construed or interpreted to constitute Congressional approval or disapproval of the participation of United States Armed Forces in the United Nations Mission in Haiti.”
“Section 1
This joint resolution may be cited as the ‘Multinational Force in Lebanon Resolution’.
“Sec. 2
(a) The Congress finds that— the removal of all foreign forces from Lebanon is an essential United States foreign policy objective in the Middle East; in order to restore full control by the Government of Lebanon over its own territory, the United States is currently participating in the multinational peacekeeping force (hereafter in this resolution referred to as the ‘Multinational Force in Lebanon’) which was established in accordance with the exchange of letters between the Governments of the United States and Lebanon dated September 25, 1982 ; the Multinational Force in Lebanon better enables the Government of Lebanon to establish its unity, independence, and territorial integrity; progress toward national political reconciliation in Lebanon is necessary; and United States Armed Forces participating in the Multinational Force in Lebanon are now in hostilities requiring authorization of their continued presence under the War Powers Resolution [ 50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.].
(“(b) The Congress determines that the requirements of section 4(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution [ 50 U.S.C. 1543(a)(1) ] became operative on August 29, 1983 . Consistent with section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution [ 50 U.S.C. 1544(b) ], the purpose of this joint resolution is to authorize the continued participation of United States Armed Forces in the Multinational Force in Lebanon.
(“(c) The Congress intends this joint resolution to constitute the necessary specific statutory authorization under the War Powers Resolution for continued participation by United States Armed Forces in the Multinational Force in Lebanon.
“Sec. 3
The President is authorized, for purposes of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution [ 50 U.S.C. 1544(b) ], to continue participation by United States Armed Forces in the Multinational Force in Lebanon, subject to the provisions of section 6 of this joint resolution. Such participation shall be limited to performance of the functions, and shall be subject to the limitations, specified in the agreement establishing the Multinational Force in Lebanon as set forth in the exchange of letters between the Governments of the United States and Lebanon dated September 25, 1982 , except that this shall not preclude such protective measures as may be necessary to ensure the safety of the Multinational Force in Lebanon.
“Sec. 4
As required by section 4(c) of the War Powers Resolution [ 50 U.S.C. 1543(c) ], the President shall report periodically to the Congress with respect to the situation in Lebanon, but in no event shall he report less often than once every three months. In addition to providing the information required by that section on the status, scope, and duration of hostilities involving United States Armed Forces, such reports shall describe in detail— the activities being performed by the Multinational Force in Lebanon; the present composition of the Multinational Force in Lebanon, including a description of the responsibilities and deployment of the armed forces of each participating country; the results of efforts to reduce and eventually eliminate the Multinational Force in Lebanon; how continued United States participation in the Multinational Force in Lebanon is advancing United States foreign policy interests in the Middle East; and what progress has occurred toward national political reconciliation among all Lebanese groups.
“Sec. 5
(a) The Congress declares that the participation of the armed forces of other countries in the Multinational Force in Lebanon is essential to maintain the international character of the peacekeeping function in Lebanon.
(“(b) The Congress believes that it should continue to be the policy of the United States to promote continuing discussions with Israel, Syria, and Lebanon with the objective of bringing about the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon and establishing an environment which will permit the Lebanese Armed Forces to carry out their responsibilities in the Beirut area.
(“(c) It is the sense of the Congress that, not later than one year after the date of enactment of this joint resolution [ Oct. 12, 1983 ] and at least once a year thereafter, the United States should discuss with the other members of the Security Council of the United Nations the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping force to assume the responsibilities of the Multinational Force in Lebanon. An analysis of the implications of the response to such discussions for the continuation of the Multinational Force in Lebanon shall be included in the reports required under paragraph (3) of section 4 of this resolution.
“Sec. 6
The participation of United States Armed Forces in the Multinational Force in Lebanon shall be authorized for purposes of the War Powers Resolution [ 50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.] until the end of the eighteen-month period beginning on the date of enactment of this resolution [ Oct. 12, 1983 ] unless the Congress extends such authorization, except that such authorization shall terminate sooner upon the occurrence of any one of the following: the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, unless the President determines and certifies to the Congress that continued United States Armed Forces participation in the Multinational Force in Lebanon is required after such withdrawal in order to accomplish the purposes specified in the September 25, 1982 , exchange of letters providing for the establishment of the Multinational Force in Lebanon; or the assumption by the United Nations or the Government of Lebanon of the responsibilities of the Multinational Force in Lebanon; or the implementation of other effective security arrangements in the area; or the withdrawal of all other countries from participation in the Multinational Force in Lebanon.
“Sec. 7
(a) Nothing in this joint resolution shall preclude the President from withdrawing United States Armed Forces participation in the Multinational Force in Lebanon if circumstances warrant, and nothing in this joint resolution shall preclude the Congress by joint resolution from directing such a withdrawal.
(“(b) Nothing in this joint resolution modifies, limits, or supersedes any provision of the War Powers Resolution [ 50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.] or the requirement of section 4(a) of the Lebanon Emergency Assistance Act of 1983, relating to congressional authorization for any substantial expansion in the number or role of United States Armed Forces in Lebanon.
“Sec. 8
(a) Any joint resolution or bill introduced to amend or repeal this Act shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the case may be. Such joint resolution or bill shall be considered by such committee within fifteen calendar days and may be reported out, together with its recommendations, unless such House shall otherwise determine pursuant to its rules.
(“(b) Any joint resolution or bill so reported shall become the pending business of the House in question (in the case of the Senate the time for debate shall be equally divided between the proponents and the opponents) and shall be voted on within three calendar days thereafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and nays.
(“(c) Such a joint resolution or bill passed by one House shall be referred to the committee of the other House named in subsection (a) and shall be reported out by such committee together with its recommendations within fifteen calendar days and shall thereupon become the pending business of such House and shall be voted upon within three calendar days, unless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and nays.
(“(d) In the case of any disagreement between the two Houses of Congress with respect to a joint resolution or bill passed by both Houses, conferees shall be promptly appointed and the committee of conference shall make and file a report with respect to such joint resolution within six calendar days after the legislation is referred to the committee of conference. Notwithstanding any rule in either House concerning the printing of conference reports in the Record or concerning any delay in the consideration of such reports, such report shall be acted on by both Houses not later than six calendar days after the conference report is filed. In the event the conferees are unable to agree within forty-eight hours, they shall report back to their respective Houses in disagreement.”
§ 1542 Consultation; initial and regular consultations
The President in every possible instance shall consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, and after every such introduction shall consult regularly with the Congress until United States Armed Forces are no longer engaged in hostilities or have been removed from such situations. ( Pub. L. 93–148, § 3 , Nov. 7, 1973 , 87 Stat. 555 .)
§ 1543 Reporting requirement
(a) Written report; time of submission; circumstances necessitating submission; information reported In the absence of a declaration of war, in any case in which United States Armed Forces are introduced— into hostilities or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances; into the territory, airspace or waters of a foreign nation, while equipped for combat, except for deployments which relate solely to supply, replacement, repair, or training of such forces; or in numbers which substantially enlarge United States Armed Forces equipped for combat already located in a foreign nation; the President shall submit within 48 hours to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate a report, in writing, setting forth— the circumstances necessitating the introduction of United States Armed Forces; the constitutional and legislative authority under which such introduction took place; and the estimated scope and duration of the hostilities or involvement.
(b) Other information reported The President shall provide such other information as the Congress may request in the fulfillment of its constitutional responsibilities with respect to committing the Nation to war and to the use of United States Armed Forces abroad.
(c) Periodic reports; semiannual requirement Whenever United States Armed Forces are introduced into hostilities or into any situation described in subsection (a) of this section, the President shall, so long as such armed forces continue to be engaged in such hostilities or situation, report to the Congress periodically on the status of such hostilities or situation as well as on the scope and duration of such hostilities or situation, but in no event shall he report to the Congress less often than once every six months.
§ 1543a Report on hostilities involving United States Armed Forces
(a) In general Not later than 48 hours after any incident in which the United States Armed Forces are involved in an attack or hostilities, whether in an offensive or defensive capacity, the President shall transmit to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the incident, unless the President— otherwise reports the incident within 48 hours pursuant to section 1543 of this title ; or has determined prior to the incident, and so reported pursuant to section 1549 of this title , that the United States Armed Forces involved in the incident would be operating under specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 1544(b) of this title .
(b) Matters to be included Each report required by subsection (a) shall include— the authority or authorities under which the United States Armed Forces were operating when the incident occurred; the date, location, and duration of the incident and the other parties involved; a description of the United States Armed Forces involved in the incident and the mission of such Armed Forces; the numbers of any combatant casualties and civilian casualties that occurred as a result of the incident; and any other information the President determines appropriate.
§ 1544 Congressional action
(a) Transmittal of report and referral to Congressional committees; joint request for convening Congress Each report submitted pursuant to section 1543(a)(1) of this title shall be transmitted to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and to the President pro tempore of the Senate on the same calendar day. Each report so transmitted shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate for appropriate action. If, when the report is transmitted, the Congress has adjourned sine die or has adjourned for any period in excess of three calendar days, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate, if they deem it advisable (or if petitioned by at least 30 percent of the membership of their respective Houses) shall jointly request the President to convene Congress in order that it may consider the report and take appropriate action pursuant to this section.
(b) Termination of use of United States Armed Forces; exceptions; extension period Within sixty calendar days after a report is submitted or is required to be submitted pursuant to section 1543(a)(1) of this title , whichever is earlier, the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces with respect to which such report was submitted (or required to be submitted), unless the Congress (1) has declared war or has enacted a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed Forces, (2) has extended by law such sixty-day period, or (3) is physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon the United States. Such sixty-day period shall be extended for not more than an additional thirty days if the President determines and certifies to the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires the continued use of such armed forces in the course of bringing about a prompt removal of such forces.
(c) Concurrent resolution for removal by President of United States Armed Forces Notwithstanding subsection (b), at any time that United States Armed Forces are engaged in hostilities outside the territory of the United States, its possessions and territories without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization, such forces shall be removed by the President if the Congress so directs by concurrent resolution.
§ 1545 Congressional priority procedures for joint resolution or bill
(a) Time requirement; referral to Congressional committee; single report Any joint resolution or bill introduced pursuant to section 1544(b) of this title at least thirty calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the case may be, and such committee shall report one such joint resolution or bill, together with its recommendations, not later than twenty-four calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in such section, unless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and nays.
(b) Pending business; vote Any joint resolution or bill so reported shall become the pending business of the House in question (in the case of the Senate the time for debate shall be equally divided between the proponents and the opponents), and shall be voted on within three calendar days thereafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays.
(c) Referral to other House committee Such a joint resolution or bill passed by one House shall be referred to the committee of the other House named in subsection (a) and shall be reported out not later than fourteen calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in section 1544(b) of this title . The joint resolution or bill so reported shall become the pending business of the House in question and shall be voted on within three calendar days after it has been reported, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays.
(d) Disagreement between Houses In the case of any disagreement between the two Houses of Congress with respect to a joint resolution or bill passed by both Houses, conferees shall be promptly appointed and the committee of conference shall make and file a report with respect to such resolution or bill not later than four calendar days before the expiration of the sixty-day period specified in section 1544(b) of this title . In the event the conferees are unable to agree within 48 hours, they shall report back to their respective Houses in disagreement. Notwithstanding any rule in either House concerning the printing of conference reports in the Record or concerning any delay in the consideration of such reports, such report shall be acted on by both Houses not later than the expiration of such sixty-day period.
§ 1546 Congressional priority procedures for concurrent resolution
(a) Referral to Congressional committee; single report Any concurrent resolution introduced pursuant to section 1544(c) of this title shall be referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives or the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, as the case may be, and one such concurrent resolution shall be reported out by such committee together with its recommendations within fifteen calendar days, unless such House shall otherwise determine by the yeas and nays.
(b) Pending business; vote Any concurrent resolution so reported shall become the pending business of the House in question (in the case of the Senate the time for debate shall be equally divided between the proponents and the opponents) and shall be voted on within three calendar days thereafter, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays.
(c) Referral to other House committee Such a concurrent resolution passed by one House shall be referred to the committee of the other House named in subsection (a) and shall be reported out by such committee together with its recommendations within fifteen calendar days and shall thereupon become the pending business of such House and shall be voted upon within three calendar days, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays.
(d) Disagreement between Houses In the case of any disagreement between the two Houses of Congress with respect to a concurrent resolution passed by both Houses, conferees shall be promptly appointed and the committee of conference shall make and file a report with respect to such concurrent resolution within six calendar days after the legislation is referred to the committee of conference. Notwithstanding any rule in either House concerning the printing of conference reports in the Record or concerning any delay in the consideration of such reports, such report shall be acted on by both Houses not later than six calendar days after the conference report is filed. In the event the conferees are unable to agree within 48 hours, they shall report back to their respective Houses in disagreement.
§ 1546a Expedited procedures for certain joint resolutions and bills
Any joint resolution or bill introduced in either House which requires the removal of United States Armed Forces engaged in hostilities outside the territory of the United States, its possessions and territories, without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization shall be considered in accordance with the procedures of section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976, except that any such resolution or bill shall be amendable. If such a joint resolution or bill should be vetoed by the President, the time for debate in consideration of the veto message on such measure shall be limited to twenty hours in the Senate and in the House shall be determined in accordance with the Rules of the House. ( Pub. L. 98–164, title X, § 1013 , Nov. 22, 1983 , 97 Stat. 1062 .)
§ 1547 Interpretation of joint resolution
(a) Inferences from any law or treaty Authority to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations wherein involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred— from any provision of law (whether or not in effect before November 7, 1973 ), including any provision contained in any appropriation Act, unless such provision specifically authorizes the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into such situations and states that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this chapter; or from any treaty heretofore or hereafter ratified unless such treaty is implemented by legislation specifically authorizing the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into such situations and stating that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this chapter.
(b) Joint headquarters operations of high-level military commands Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require any further specific statutory authorization to permit members of United States Armed Forces to participate jointly with members of the armed forces of one or more foreign countries in the headquarters operations of high-level military commands which were established prior to November 7, 1973 , and pursuant to the United Nations Charter or any treaty ratified by the United States prior to such date.
(c) Introduction of United States Armed Forces For purposes of this chapter, the term “introduction of United States Armed Forces” includes the assignment of members of such armed forces to command, coordinate, participate in the movement of, or accompany the regular or irregular military forces of any foreign country or government when such military forces are engaged, or there exists an imminent threat that such forces will become engaged, in hostilities.
(d) Constitutional authorities or existing treaties unaffected; construction against grant of Presidential authority respecting use of United States Armed Forces Nothing in this chapter— is intended to alter the constitutional authority of the Congress or of the President, or the provisions of existing treaties; or shall be construed as granting any authority to the President with respect to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations wherein involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances which authority he would not have had in the absence of this chapter.
§ 1548 Separability
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter and the application of such provision to any other person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. ( Pub. L. 93–148, § 9 , Nov. 7, 1973 , 87 Stat. 559 .)
§ 1549 Report on and notice of changes made to the legal and policy frameworks for the United States’ use of military force and related national security operations
(a) Annual report Not later than March 1 of each year, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the legal and policy frameworks for the United States’ use of military force and related national security operations. The report required by paragraph (1) shall include the legal, factual, and policy justifications for any changes made to such legal and policy frameworks from the preceding year, including— a list of all foreign forces, irregular forces, groups, or individuals for which a determination has been made that force could legally be used under the Authorization for Use of Military Force ( Public Law 107–40 ), including— the legal and factual basis for such determination; and a description of whether force has been used against each such foreign force, irregular force, group, or individual; and the criteria and any changes to the criteria for designating a foreign force, irregular force, group, or individual as lawfully targetable, as a high value target, and as formally or functionally a member of a group covered under the Authorization for Use of Military Force.
(b) Notice required Not later than 30 days after the date on which a change is made to the legal and policy frameworks described in subsection (a)(1), the President shall notify the appropriate congressional committees of such change, including the legal, factual, and policy justification for such change.
(c) Form The report required by subsection (a) and each notice required by subsection (b) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may contain a classified annex. The unclassified portion of each report shall, at a minimum, include each change made to the legal and policy frameworks during the preceding year and the legal, factual, and policy justifications for such changes, and shall be made available to the public at the same time it is submitted to the appropriate congressional committees.
(d) Appropriate congressional committees defined In this section, the term “appropriate congressional committees” means— the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
§ 1550 Reports and briefings on use of military force and support of partner forces
(a) In general Not later than 180 days after December 20, 2019 , and every 180 days thereafter, the President shall submit to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on actions taken pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force ( Public Law 107–40 ) against those countries or organizations described in such law, as well as any actions taken to command, coordinate, participate in the movement of, or accompany the regular or irregular military forces of any foreign country or government when such forces are engaged in hostilities or in situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, during the preceding 180-day period.
(b) Matters to be included The report required by subsection (a) shall include, with respect to the time period for which the report was submitted, the following: A list of each country or organization with respect to which force has been used pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force, including the legal and factual basis for the determination that authority under such law applies with respect to each such country or organization. An intelligence assessment of the risk to the United States posed by each such country or organization. A list of each country in which operations were conducted pursuant to such law and a description of the circumstances necessitating the use of force pursuant to such law, including whether the country is designated as an area of active hostilities. A general description of the status of operations conducted pursuant to such law as well as a description of the expected scope and duration of such operations. A list of each partner force and country with respect to which United States Armed Forces have commanded, coordinated, participated in the movement of, or accompanied the regular or irregular forces of any foreign country or government that have engaged in hostilities or there existed an imminent threat that such forces would become engaged in hostilities, including— a delineation of any such instances in which such United States Armed Forces were or were not operating under the Authorization for Use of Military Force; and a determination of whether the foreign forces, irregular forces, groups, or individuals against which such hostilities occurred are covered by such law. A description of the actual and proposed contributions, including financing, equipment, training, troops, and logistical support, provided by each foreign country that participates in any international coalition with the United States to combat a country or organization described in the Authorization for Use of Military Force.
(c) Form The information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) shall be submitted in unclassified form.
(d) Other reports If United States Armed Forces are introduced into hostilities, or into situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, against any country, organization, or person pursuant to statutory or constitutional authorities other than Authorization for Use of Military Force, the President shall comply with the reporting requirements under— this section to the same extent and in the same manner as if such actions had been taken under Authorization for Use of Military Force; the War Powers Resolution ( 50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.); and any other applicable provision of law.
(e) Briefings At least once during each 180-day period described in subsection (a), the President shall provide to the congressional defense committees, the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate, and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives a briefing on the matters covered by the report required under this section for such period.