[House Report 108-38]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
108th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 108-38
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REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT TO TRANSMIT TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DOCUMENTS RELATING TO IRAQ'S DECLARATION ON ITS WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION
_______
March 18, 2003.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
_______
Mr. Hyde, from the Committee on International Relations, submitted the
following
ADVERSE REPORT
[To accompany H. Res. 68]
The Committee on International Relations, to whom was
referred the resolution (H. Res. 68) requesting the President
to transmit to the House of Representatives not later than 14
days after the date of the adoption of this resolution
documents in the President's possession relating to Iraq's
declaration on its weapons of mass destruction that was
provided to the United Nations on December 7, 2002, having
considered the same, reports unfavorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the resolution not be agreed to.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 1
Background and Need for the Legislation.......................... 2
Hearings......................................................... 2
Committee Consideration.......................................... 3
Votes of the Committee........................................... 3
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 3
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................ 3
Committee Cost Estimate.......................................... 3
Performance Goals and Objectives................................. 3
New Advisory Committees.......................................... 3
Congressional Accountability Act................................. 3
Federal Mandates................................................. 3
Purpose and Summary
House Resolution 68 requests the President to transmit to
the House of Representatives not later than 14 days after the
date of its adoption documents in the President's possession
relating to Iraq's declaration on its weapons of mass
destruction that was provided to the United Nations on December
7, 2002.
Background and Need for the Legislation
House Resolution 68 is a resolution of inquiry, which
pursuant to clause 7 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, directs the Committee to act on the resolution
within 14 legislative days, or a priviliged motion to discharge
the Committee is in order. H. Res. 68 was introduced and
referred to the Committee on International Relations on
February 12, 2003, and was ordered reported adversely by the
Committee on March 12, 2003.
Under the rules and precedents of the House, a resolution
of inquiry is the means by which the House requests information
from the President of the United States or the head of one of
the executive departments. According to Deschler's Procedure it
is a ``simple resolution making a direct request or demand of
the President or the head of an executive department to furnish
the House of Representatives with specific factual information
in the possession of the executive branch.''
The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution
1441, which directed the Government of Iraq to provide United
Nations weapons inspectors with a complete and accurate
declaration of all aspects of its chemical, biological and
nuclear weapons programs, and ballistic missile systems, as
well as information on other chemical, biological, and nuclear
programs that were supposed to be for civilian purposes. Iraq
submitted a Declaration to the Security Council on December 7,
2002. The complete text of that declaration was made available
to each permanent member of the Security Council, including the
United States.
In his remarks addressed to the House of Representatives
when introducing the resolution of inquiry, the sponsor of
House Resolution 68 requested that the ``primary documents be
transmitted in their complete and unedited form'' to Congress.
Subsequently, the Department of State transmitted a full and
unedited copy of the declaration to the House. The Speaker
directed the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to
retain custody of the documents because it has the facilities
to handle classified documents. The declaration, consisting of
approximately 12,000 pages of documents, is classified SECRET
and contains information relating to weapons design and weapons
of mass destruction.
The declaration is available for review by Members,
consistent with House Rule XXIII, the Code of Official Conduct,
which governs access by Members to classified information. The
declaration is also available for review by staff with
appropriate security clearances who have executed a
nondisclosure oath or affirmation.
Because the House had possession of the declaration, which
the sponsor indicated he wanted transmitted to the House, prior
to the Committee's markup, the Committee deemed the resolution
to be moot and, accordingly, ordered it reported adversely by
voice vote.
Hearings
The Committee did not hold hearings on H. Res. 68.
Committee Consideration
On March 12, 2003, the Committee met in open session and
ordered unfavorably reported the resolution of inquiry H. Res.
68 without amendment by voice vote, a quorum being present.
Vote of the Committee
The Committee held no recorded votes.
Committee Oversight Findings
The Committee has no oversight findings or recommendations
pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House
of Representatives.
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures
Clause 3(c)(2) of House Rule XIII is inapplicable because
H. Res. 68 does not provide new budgetary authority or
increased tax expenditures.
Committee Cost Estimate
The Committee estimates costs will be minimal.
Performance Goals and Objectives
The rule requiring a statement of performance goals and
objectives is inapplicable because the resolution does not
provide any funding.
New Advisory Committees
H. Res. 68 does not establish or authorize any new advisory
committees.
Congressional Accountability Act
H. Res. 68 does not apply to the legislative branch.
Federal Mandates
H. Res. 68 provides no Federal mandates.