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Iraq Amendment Authored by Hanabusa & Garamendi Adopted by Voice Vote

June 20, 2014

Amendment Requires President to Seek Congressional Consent before Substantial Military Action in Iraq

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the House of Representatives, by unanimous voice vote, adopted an amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill by Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) and Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa (D-HI) that requires the Administration to seek the advice and consent of Congress before pursuing sustained military action in Iraq. The amendment does not apply to embassy security. Both Garamendi and Hanabusa are Members of the Armed Services Committee.

"Today, the House of Representatives stood unified that we will not rush into a third Gulf War," Congressman Garamendi said, "The Constitution gives Congress the right and obligation to give advice and consent before waging war. I have serious doubts about waging any military campaign in Iraq, and clearly I am not alone."

The amendment reads in full: "None of the funds made available by this Act may be used with respect to Iraq in contravention of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 et seq.), including for the introduction of United States forces into hostilities in Iraq, into situations in Iraq where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances, or into Iraqi territory, airspace, or waters while equipped for combat, in contravention of the congressional consultation and reporting requirements of sections 3 and 4 of such Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1542 and 1543)."