S.J.Res. 15: A joint resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Libya and the Government and the people of the United States, and making provision to prosecute the same.

S.J.Res. 15: A joint resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Libya and the Government and the people of the United States, and making provision to prosecute the same.

112th Congress · introduced 2011-05-25 · International Affairs · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2011-05-25 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

A joint resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Libya and the Government and the people of the United States, and making provision to prosecute the same.

Plain summary

Declares that a state of war exists between the United States and the government of Libya. Authorizes and directs the President to: (1) employ U.S. naval and military forces and the resources of the U.S. government to carry on war against the government of Libya; and (2) issue to private U.S. armed vessels commissions or letters of marque and general reprisal against the vessels, goods, and effects of the government of Libya.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

A joint resolution declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of Libya and the Government and the people of the United States, and making provision to prosecute the same.

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] reported raising $4.6 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)

Joint resolution: In Texas, the type of measure the Legislature uses to propose a constitutional amendment (marked HJR or SJR). The governor does not sign or veto it; the voters decide. In Congress a joint resolution can also be used like a bill. In Florida, a joint resolution passed by three-fifths of the members of each chamber puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-112sjres15.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/112/sjres>

Record fed-us-cong112-sjres15 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong112 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong112