Accession Number:

ADA470193

Title:

Congressional Authority to Limit U.S. Military Operations in Iraq

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WASHINGTON DC CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

Personal Author(s):

• Elsea, Jennifer K.
• Garcia, Michael J.
• Nicola, Thomas J.

Report Date:

2007-07-11

Pagination or Media Count:

51.0

Abstract:

On October 16, 2002, President Bush signed the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. Since the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, Congress has enacted appropriation bills to fund the continuation of the Iraq war, including military training, reconstruction, and other aid for the government of Iraq. In April, 2007, however, Congress passed a supplemental appropriations bill to fund the war that contained conditions and a deadline for ending some military operations. The President vetoed the bill, arguing in part that some of its provisions are unconstitutional. The current dispute is centered on whether Congress has the constitutional authority to legislate limits on the Presidents authority to conduct military operations in Iraq, even though it did not initially provide express limits. Specific issues include whether Congress may, through limitations on appropriations, set a ceiling on the number of soldiers or regulate which soldiers the President may assign to duty in Iraq, and whether an outright repeal or expiration of the authorization for use of military force AUMF against Iraq would have any effect.

Descriptors:

• *MILITARY OPERATIONS
• *IRAQ
• *LEGISLATION
• MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• MILITARY TRAINING
• GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN)
• CONGRESS

Subject Categories:

• Sociology and Law
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE