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S.J.Res. 46: Declaration of War against the Organization known as the Islamic State

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S.J.Res. 46: Declaration of War against the Organization known as the Islamic State

113th Congress · introduced 2014-12-03 · International Affairs · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2014-12-03 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Declaration of War against the Organization known as the Islamic State

Plain summary

Declaration of War against the Organization known as the Islamic State - Declares, pursuant to article I, section 8, clause 11 of the Constitution, that a state of war exists between the United States and the organization referring to itself as the Islamic State, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) (ISIL/ISIS). Authorizes and directs the President to use the U.S. Armed Forces to protect U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria from ISIL/ISIS. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as declaring war or authorizing force against any organization: (1) other than ISIL/ISIS, or (2) based on affiliation with ISIL/ISIS. States that nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the use of ground combat forces except for: protection or rescue of U.S. Armed Forces members or U.S. citizens from imminent danger posed by ISIL/ISIS, limited operations against high value targets, or advisory and intelligence gathering operations. States that: (1) this Act is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution, and (2) nothing in this resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution. Repeals the authorization for the Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002. States that The Authorization for the Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) does not authorize the use of military force against ISIL/ISIS, and shall not be construed as providing such authority. Sunsets one year after the date of enactment of this joint resolution: (1) The Authorization for the Use of Military Force, and (2) the declaration and authorization in this joint resolution.

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

Declaration of War against the Organization known as the Islamic State

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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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 (4)
Authorization
A law that creates or continues a government program and says what it may do, often with a suggested spending ceiling. An authorization alone does not provide money; a separate appropriation does.
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.
Resolution
A formal statement or decision by a legislative body. Simple resolutions often only express an opinion or set rules for one chamber; they do not become law.
Statute
A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong113-sjres46 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong113 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong113