PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 107-243.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 2, 2002
Authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq - Expresses support for the President's efforts to: (1) strictly enforce through the United Nations Security Council all relevant Security Council resolutions applicable to Iraq; and (2) 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.Authorizes the President to use the U.S. armed forces to: (1) defend U.S. national security against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and (2) enforce all relevant Security Council resolutions regarding Iraq. Directs the President, prior to or as soon as possible (but no later than 48 hours) after exercising such authority, to make available to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate his determination that: (1) reliance on further diplomatic or peaceful means alone will not achieve the above purposes; and (2) acting pursuant to this resolution is consistent with the United States and other countries continuing to take necessary actions against international terrorists and terrorist organizations, including those who planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization for use of the armed forces, consistent with requirements of the War Powers Resolution.Requires the President to report to Congress at least every 60 days on matters relevant to this resolution.
People & committees
Rep. Hastert, J. Dennis [R-IL-14] · R–IL
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 107-243.
Became Public Law No: 107-243.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Passed Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 23. Record Vote Number: 237.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Yea-Nay Vote. 77 - 23. Record Vote Number: 237.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR 10/10/2002 S10342)
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 296 - 133 (Roll no. 455).
House roll call 455 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 296 - 133 (Roll no. 455).
House roll call 455 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 101 - 325 (Roll no. 454). (text: CR H7796-7797)
House roll call 454 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kucinich motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require additional language which directs that prior to the exercise of authority to use force, the President shall transmit to Congress a report, in unclassified form, that addresses the impact of such use of force on the national security interests of the United States.
Mr. Kucinich moved to recommit with instructions to International Relations. (consideration: CR H7796-7799)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.J. Res. 114.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Spratt (SC) substitute amendment.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the Lee substitute amendment.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7739-7799)
DEBATE - The House completed general debate on H.J. Res. 114.
DEBATE - The House continued with debate on H.J. Res. 114.
EXTENSION OF DEBATE - By unanimous consent, debate on the joint resolution was extended for 2 hours, equally divided and controlled.
ADDITIONAL DEBATE TIME - Mr. Green (WI) asked unanimous consent that the time for debate on the joint resolution be extended for 4 additional hours, equally divided and controlled. Agreed to without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with the remaining 5 hours and 15 minutes of debate on H.J. Res 114.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7309-7345, H7375-7410, H7413-7442, H7706-7735)
DEBATE - The House continued with debate on H.J. Res. 114.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 17 hours of debate on H.J. Res. 114.
Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 114 with 17 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The amendment to the preamble and the amendment to the text recommended by the Committee on International Relations and now printed in the joint resolution shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 574. (consideration: CR H7189-7247, H7268-7301; text of measure as introduced: CR H7189-7190; text of measure as reported in House: CR H7190-7191)
Rule H. Res. 574 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 574 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 114 with 17 hours of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The amendment to the preamble and the amendment to the text recommended by the Committee on International Relations and now printed in the joint resolution shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 451.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 107-721.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 107-721.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended).
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze H.J.Res.114 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.J.Res.114 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.J.Res.114 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.J.Res.114 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.