A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the need for approval by the Congress before any offensive military action by the United States against another nation.

Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1074)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jan 24, 2007

Expresses the sense of the Senate that: (1) under the Constitution it is Congress that has the power to take the country from a state of peace to a state of war; (2) the framers of the Constitution understood that the President may act to defend the country and repel sudden attack but reserved the matter of offensive war to the Congress as the representatives of the people; (3) the Senate affirms the requirement under the Constitution that the President seek congressional approval before the United States undertakes offensive military action against another nation; (4) consultation by the President with the Congress on any U.S. undertaking of offensive military action against another nation must allow for full congressional debate; and (5) any offensive military action by the United States against another country shall occur only after Congress has authorized such action.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV] · D–WV

Committees

Foreign Relations Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 24, 2007
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1074)
Jan 24, 2007
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1074-1075)
Jan 24, 2007
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jan 24, 2007 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 14, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.Res.39 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.39, 110th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the need for approval by the Congress before any offensive military action by the United States against another nation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-resolution/39

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2007-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/sres39/BILLS-110sres39is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.Res.39 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.Res.39 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.39, 110th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the need for approval by the Congress before any offensive military action by the United States against another nation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-resolution/39

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2007-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/sres39/BILLS-110sres39is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.39 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.Res.39 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.39, 110th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the need for approval by the Congress before any offensive military action by the United States against another nation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-resolution/39

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2007-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/sres39/BILLS-110sres39is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.39 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.Res.39 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.Res.39, 110th Congress: A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the need for approval by the Congress before any offensive military action by the United States against another nation.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/110th-congress/senate-resolution/39

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2007-01-24.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/110/bills/sres39/BILLS-110sres39is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-14T19:01:59Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.Res.39 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.