What it authorizes:
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The President is authorized,
subject to the limitations in subsection ©, to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary and appropriate against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or associated persons or forces as defined in section 5.
The limitations:
© LIMITATIONS.—The authority granted in sub-section (a) does not authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces for the purpose of ground combat operations except as necessary—
(1) for the protection or rescue of members of
the United States Armed Forces or United States
citizens from imminent danger posed by ISIL; or
2) to conduct missions not intended to result in ground combat operations by United States forces, such as—
(A) intelligence collection and sharing;
(B) enabling kinetic strikes;
© operational planning; or
(D) other forms of advice and assistance to forces fighting ISIL in Iraq or Syria.
How long it will last
This authorization for the use of military force shall terminate three years after the date of the enactment of this joint resolution, unless reauthorized.
Who is an "associated" person or force?
SEC. 5. ASSOCIATED PERSONS OR FORCES DEFINED.
In this joint resolution, the term ‘associated persons or forces’’ means individuals and organizations fighting for or on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or a closely-related successor entity, for the purposes of action authorized to be taken under this joint resolution.
The State Department released this statement Thursday night. It was a response to a question at a news briefing:
We continue to believe the Menendez draft AUMF text provides a reasonable basis for continued discussions. As Secretary Kerry indicated at this week's hearing, the Administration would like to continue to work with members to further refine the language, including how the authorization defines associated forces, the manner in which the sunset of the new authority is handled at the end of three years, and how it addresses ground combat force limitations.
