US Congress House Joint Resolution 66 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-0)
Status: Introduced on June 19 2019 - 25% progression, died in committee
Action: 2019-06-19 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 concerned.
Pending: House Foreign Affairs Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Introduced) [PDF]

This joint resolution revises the War Powers Resolution, a law designed to limit the President's power to introduce Armed Forces into hostilities. Changes include shortening the time that Armed Forces may be involved in hostilities without congressional action and providing for judicial enforcement. The President shall remove any Armed Forces introduced into hostilities without congressional approval within 30 days unless Congress (1) declares war, (2) enacts a joint resolution specifically authorizing such use of the Armed Forces, (3) extends this deadline by 30 days, or (4) is unable to meet because of an attack on the United States. Current law allows such use of the Armed Forces for 60 days from when the President first reports to Congress about the engagement and allows for a 60-day extension. If Congress takes no such actions, funds may not be used to continue Armed Forces involvement in the hostilities, except to withdraw. The bill removes a provision requiring the removal of such engaged Armed Forces if Congress passes a concurrent resolution requiring such removal. A member of Congress may sue in district court for an order directing the President to comply with this bill. A judgment in such an action shall be directly appealable to the Supreme Court. The bill amends various provisions relating to (1) the President reporting to and consulting with Congress regarding the use of the Armed Forces without congressional authorization, and (2) procedures for the expedited handling of joint resolutions related to such use of force.

War Powers Amendments of 2019

Rep. Peter DeFazio [D-OR]	Rep. TJ Cox [D-CA]	Rep. Jamie Raskin [D-MD]	Rep. Eleanor Norton [D-DC]
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee [D-TX]	Rep. James McGovern [D-MA]	Rep. David Cicilline [D-RI]	Rep. Barbara Lee [D-CA]
Rep. Don Beyer [D-VA]	Rep. Jared Huffman [D-CA]	Rep. Steve Cohen [D-TN]	Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D-OR]
Rep. Janice Schakowsky [D-IL]	Rep. Grace Napolitano [D-CA]	Rep. Raul Grijalva [D-AZ]	Rep. Jesus Garcia [D-IL]
Rep. Bobby Rush [D-IL]

Date	Chamber	Action
2019-06-19	House	Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 concerned.
2019-06-19	House	Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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 concerned.
2019-06-19	House	Introduced in House

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-joint-resolution/66/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hjres66/BILLS-116hjres66ih.pdf