Iraq: A Compilation of Legislation Enacted and Resolutions Adopted by Congress, 1990-2003

Order Code RS21324

Updated March 27, 2003

CRS Report for Congress

Received through the CRS Web

Iraq: A Compilation of Legislation Enacted

and Resolutions Adopted by Congress,

1990-2003

name redacted

Middle East Policy Analyst

Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division

Summary

This report is a compilation of legislation on Iraq from 1990 to the present. The

list is composed of resolutions and public laws relating to military action or diplomatic

pressure to be taken against Iraq.1 The list does not include foreign aid appropriations

bills passed since FY1994 that deny U.S. funds to any nation in violation of the United

Nations sanctions regime against Iraq.2 Also, measures that were not passed only in

either the House or the Senate are not included (with the exception of the proposals in

the 108th Congress and several relevant concurrent and joint resolutions from previous

Congresses ). For a more in-depth analysis of U.S. action against Iraq, see CRS Issue

Brief IB92117, Iraq, Compliance, Sanctions and U.S. Policy. This report will be

updated periodically.

101st Congress

House

H.J.Res. 658

Supported the actions taken by the President with respect to Iraqi

aggression against Kuwait and confirmed United States resolve.

Passed in the House: October 1, 1990

1

This compilation of legislation does not include bills related to humanitarian support for the

Iraqi population and bills that call on Iraq to compensate victims of the 1991 Persian Gulf War.

2

The following foreign aid appropriations bills each contain a section that denies foreign aid to

nations deemed in violation of U.N. sanctions against Iraq: P.L. 103-87, P.L. 103-306, P.L. 104107, P.L. 104-108, P.L. 105-118, P.L. 105-277, P.L. 106-113, P.L. 106-429, P.L. 107-115. The

same restriction also appears in the House and Senate versions of current appropriations bills.

Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

CRS-2

H.Con.Res. 382

Expressed the sense of the Congress that the crisis created by Iraq’s

invasion and occupation of Kuwait must be addressed and resolved

on its own terms separately from other conflicts in the region.

Passed in the House: October 23, 1990

Senate

S.Res. 318

Commended the President for his actions taken against Iraq and

called for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, the freezing of

Iraqi assets, the cessation of all arms shipments to Iraq, and the

imposition of sanctions against Iraq.

Passed in the Senate: August 2, 1990

Public Laws

P.L. 101-509

(H.R. 5241). Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government

Appropriations Act FY1991 (Section 630). Urged the President to

ensure that coalition allies were sharing the burden of collective

defense and contributing financially to the war effort.

Became public law: November 5, 1990

P.L. 101-510

(H.R. 4739). Defense Authorization Act FY1991 (Section 1458).

Empowered the President to prohibit any and all products of a

foreign nation which has violated the economic sanctions against

Iraq. Became public law: November 5, 1990

P.L. 101- 513

(H.R. 5114). The Iraq Sanctions Act of 1990 (Section 586).

Imposed a trade embargo on Iraq and called for the imposition and

enforcement of multilateral sanctions in accordance with United

Nations Security Council Resolutions.

Became public law: November 5, 1990

P.L. 101-515

(H.R. 5021). Department of Commerce, Justice, and State

Appropriations Act FY1991 (Section 608 a & b). Restricted the use

of funds to approve the licensing for export of any supercomputer to

any country whose government is assisting Iraq develop its ballistic

missile program, or chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons

capability. Became public law: November 5, 1990

102nd Congress

Public Laws

P.L. 102-1

(H.J.Res. 77). Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq

Resolution. Gave congressional authorization to expel Iraq from

Kuwait in accordance with United Nations Security Council

Resolution 678, which called for the implementation of eleven

previous Security Council Resolutions.

Became public law: January 12, 1991

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P.L. 102-138

(H.R. 1415). The Foreign Relations Authorization Act for FY1992

(Section 301). Stated that the President should propose to the

Security Council that members of the Iraqi regime be put on trial for

war crimes. Became public law: October 28, 1991

P.L. 102-190

(H.R. 2100). Defense Authorization Act for FY1992 (Section 1095).

Supported the use of “all necessary means to achieve the goals of

United Nations Security Council Resolution 687 as being consistent

with the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq

Resolution (P.L. 102-1).” Became public law: December 5, 1991

103rd Congress

Public Laws

P.L. 103-160

(H.R. 2401). Defense Authorization Act FY1994 (Section 1164).

Denied defectors of the Iraqi military entry into the United States

unless those persons had assisted U.S. or coalition forces and had not

committed any war crimes. Became public law: November 30, 1993

P.L. 103-236

(H.R. 2333). Foreign Relations Authorization Act FY1994, 1995

(Section 507). Expressed the sense of Congress that the United

States should continue to advocate the maintenance of Iraq’s

territorial integrity and the transition to a unified, democratic Iraq.

Became public law: April 30, 1994

104th Congress

House

H.Res. 120

Urged the President to take “all appropriate action” to secure the

release and safe exit from Iraq of American citizens William Barloon

and David Daliberti, who had mistakenly crossed Iraq’s border and

were detained. Passed in the House: April 3, 1995

Senate

S.Res. 288

Commended the military action taken by the United States following

U.S. air strikes in northern Iraq against Iraqi radar and air defense

installations. This action was taken during the brief Kurdish civil

war in 1996. Passed in the Senate: September 5, 1996

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105th Congress

House

H.Res. 322

Supported the pursuit of peaceful and diplomatic efforts in seeking

Iraqi compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions

regarding the destruction of Iraq’s capability to deliver and produce

weapons of mass destruction. However, if such efforts fail,

“multilateral military action or unilateral military action should be

taken.” Passed in the House: November 13, 1997

H.Con.Res.137

Expressed concern for the urgent need of a criminal tribunal to try

members of the Iraqi regime for war crimes.

Passed in the House: January 27, 1998

H.Res. 612

Reaffirmed that it should be the policy of the United States to

support efforts to remove the regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and

to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that

regime. Passed in the House: December 17, 1998

Senate

S.Con.Res. 78

Called for the indictment of Saddam Hussein for war crimes.

Passed in the Senate: March 13, 1998

Public Laws

P.L. 105-174

(H.R. 3579). 1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act

(Section 17). Expressed the sense of Congress that none of the funds

appropriated or otherwise made available by this act be used for the

conduct of offensive operations by the United States Armed Forces

against Iraq for the purpose of enforcing compliance with United

Nations Security Council Resolutions, unless such operations are

specifically authorized by a law enacted after the date of the

enactment of this act. Became public law: May 1, 1998

P.L. 105-235

(S.J.Res. 54). Iraqi Breach of International Obligations. Declared

that by evicting weapons inspectors, Iraq was in “material breach” of

its cease-fire agreement. Urged the President to take “appropriate

action in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws of the

United States, to bring Iraq into compliance with its international

obligations.” Became public law: August 14, 1998

P.L. 105-338

(H.R. 4655). Iraq Liberation Act of 1988 (Section 586). Declared

that it should be the policy of the United States to “support efforts”

to remove Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq and replace him with

a democratic government. Authorized the President to provide the

Iraqi democratic opposition with assistance for radio and television

broadcasting, defense articles and military training, and humanitarian

assistance. Became public law: October 31, 1998

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107th Congress

House

H.J.Res. 75

Stated that Iraq’s refusal to allow weapons inspectors was a material

breach of its international obligations and constituted “a mounting

threat to the United States, its friends and allies, and international

peace and security.” Passed in the House: December 20, 2001

Public Laws

P.L. 107-243

(H.J.Res. 114). To Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces

against Iraq. Authorized the President to use armed force to defend

the national security of the United States against the threat posed by

Iraq and to enforce all relevant U.N. resolutions regarding Iraq.

Became public law: October 16, 2002

108th Congress

House

H.Con.Res. 104

Expresses the unequivocal support and appreciation of the nation (1)

to the President as Commander-in-Chief for his firm leadership and

decisive action in the conduct of military operations in Iraq as part of

the on-going Global War on Terrorism; (2) to the members of the

U.S. armed forces serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are

carrying out their missions with excellence, patriotism, and bravery;

and (3) to the families of the U.S. military personnel serving in

Operation Iraqi Freedom, who are providing support and prayers for

their loved ones currently engaged in military operations in Iraq.

Passed in the House: March 21, 2003.

Senate

S.Res. 95

Commends and supports the efforts and leadership of the President,

as Commander in Chief, in the conflict against Iraq. Commends, and

expresses the gratitude of the nation to all members of the U.S.

armed forces (whether on active duty, in the National Guard, or in

the Reserves) and the civilian employees who support their efforts,

as well as the men and women of civilian national security agencies

who are participating in the military operations in the Persian Gulf

region, for their professional excellence, dedicated patriotism, and

exemplary bravery. Expresses the deep condolences of the Senate to

the families of brave Americans who have lost their lives in this

noble undertaking, over many years, against Iraq. Expresses sincere

gratitude to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government

for their courageous and steadfast support, as well as gratitude to

other allied nations for their military support, logistical support, and

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other assistance in the campaign against Saddam Hussein's regime.

Passed in the Senate: March 20, 2003.

For a complete list of 108th legislation related to Iraq that has been proposed in either the

House or the Senate, please see Iraq - U.S. Confrontation: Legislation in the 108th

Congress3 available online at [http://www.crs.gov/products/browse/iraqleg.shtml].

3

Unlike the focus of the legislation listed in this report, Iraq - U.S. Confrontation: Legislation

in the 108th Congress covers all aspects of the Iraq - U.S. confrontation, ranging from the

domestic impacts of war to the authorization of military force.

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