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S.J.Res. 61: Constitutional Consideration for Use of Force Resolution

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S.J.Res. 61: Constitutional Consideration for Use of Force Resolution

115th Congress · introduced 2018-05-23 · 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 2018-05-23 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] · 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

Constitutional Consideration for Use of Force Resolution

Plain summary

Constitutional Consideration for Use of Force Resolution This bill sets forth new authorities for the use of force by U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, or additional countries against the Taliban, al Qaeda, and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and any new non-state organizations or forces. The bill also repeals the separate authorizations for the use of military force by the United States with respect to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the war in Iraq.

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

Constitutional Consideration for Use of Force Resolution

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. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] · 0 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] reported raising $5.4 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 (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
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.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong115-sjres61 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong115 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong115