Congressional Restrictions on U.S. Military Operations in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Somalia, and Kosovo: Funding and Non-Funding Approaches









Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress



The main body of this report is a series of tables and an Appendix that summarize and cite bill
language that was intended to end or restrict U.S. military operations in Vietnam and Indochina,
Somalia, and Kosovo. The report covers enacted provisions as well as those where there were roll
call votes but the provision was not ultimately enacted. The first table outlines proposals that
restrict funding and the second table describes other types of restrictions.
The other legislation discussed in this report either cut off funding or called on the President to
take certain military actions, such as troop withdrawals. The cutoffs generally prohibited the
obligation or expenditure of funds that Congress had appropriated, and they applied to military
activities ranging from combat operations to initial deployments in specified countries. Some
legislative language cut off funding for certain military operations but permitted exceptions, such
as the withdrawal of U.S. troops, or was contingent upon meeting certain conditions, such as the
release of prisoners of war. Other language prohibited continued funding unless military
operations were authorized.
Congress also considered non-funding approaches that urged the President to withdraw forces,
negotiate or terminate military operations, seek congressional authorization for military
operations, or set a date for U.S. troop withdrawals. Another approach was congressional repeal
of the August 1964 Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which authorized the President to use military force
in Vietnam.
Language attempting to restrict later conflicts continued to use these two main categories of
approaches, funding and non-funding, adding new elements and criteria to the restrictions as the
conflicts themselves evolved.
In the case of Indochina, a major demarcation was the signing of the Vietnam peace accords and a
cease-fire agreement between the United States and North Vietnam in January 1973 that required
the total withdrawal of U.S. troops by March 1973. Congress continued to provide funds for U.S.
troops as levels fell from a peak of 539,000 in June 1969 to 21,500 in January 1973. In 1974, a
non-funding bill was passed to cap personnel levels in Indochina at 3,000 by the end of the year.
In response to the invasion of Cambodia from April to June 1970, Congress enacted the Cooper-
Church amendment in January 1971, which prohibited using any appropriated funds to introduce
ground troops into Cambodia. Legislation enacted in 1973—after the cease-fire agreement—that
cut off funds for combat “in or over or from off the shores of North Vietnam, South Vietnam,
Laos or Cambodia” was designed to prevent President Nixon from reintroducing troops or
bombing if the North Vietnamese violated the cease-fire. The 1973 legislation also terminated
funding for the U.S. bombing of Khmer Rouge forces in Cambodia by August 15, 1973. The U.S.
bombing did end on that date.






Vietnam War Policy Context for Congressional Legislation...........................................................1
Types of Restrictions on Military Activities....................................................................................3
Prohibiting the Obligation or Expenditure of Funds.................................................................3
Where and How Funding Prohibitions Applied..................................................................3
Types of Military Activities Covered..................................................................................4
Non-Funding Restrictions on Military Activities......................................................................4
Table 1. Funding Restrictions on Military Operations....................................................................5
Table 2. Non-Funding Restrictions on Military Operations..........................................................15
Appendix. Text of Proposed or Enacted Provisions......................................................................19
Author Contact Information..........................................................................................................30





his report discusses the political context and congressional consideration of various
funding and other restrictive legislative language applying to military operations in
Indochina between 1970 and 1973. The report also briefly mentions similar congressional T


actions applying to U.S. military operations in Somalia in 1993 and Kosovo in 1999. This
discussion is followed by two tables that summarize provisions that were enacted or considered
by Congress and an Appendix that cites the specific language for each provision in the tables.
Table 1 includes funding restrictions on military operations and Table 2 includes other non-
funding approaches. Those provisions that were enacted are listed first followed by provisions
that were not enacted but where there was a roll call vote in either house. From the legislative
history, it appears that funding cutoffs may have been more effective than non-funding 1
approaches in altering executive branch plans for military operations.


During the 1970-1973 period, Congress considered a variety of proposals to restrict U.S. military
operations in Indochina and require a withdrawal of troops from Vietnam in response to the
growing controversy in the United States over U.S. military involvement in Vietnam during the
1965-1969 period. The specific proposals for legislation often were in response to key elements
of the Nixon Administration’s policies and were intended to influence or force changes in the
Administration’s policies on U.S. military involvement, particularly in Vietnam and Cambodia.
A main element of the Nixon Administration’s policies was the staged withdrawal of U.S. troops
from Vietnam from mid-1969 until the end of 1972 as part of the Administration’s Vietnamization
strategy of turning over the responsibility for ground combat operations in Vietnam to the South
Vietnamese government and army. According to Department of Defense statistics, U.S. troop
levels fell from 539,000 in June 1969 to 415,000 in June 1970, 239,000 in June 1971, 47,000 in
June 1972, and 21,500 in January 1973. In 1974, a non-funding bill was passed to cap personnel
levels in Indochina at 4,000 by mid-1975 (2,500 of whom could be members of the armed
forces), and at 3,000 by the end of 1975 (1,500 of whom could be members of the armed forces).
The Nixon Administration, however, set no goal of a total withdrawal of U.S. forces or a total end
of U.S. combat operations in Vietnam. In particular, the Air Force continued bombing operations
at a high level. Thus, many of the proposed amendments and bills in Congress in the 1970-1972
period were aimed at requiring the President to withdraw all U.S. troops from Vietnam and
prohibit U.S. combat operations in Vietnam and Indochina. Several of these came to votes in the
full House of Representatives and the Senate, but none was enacted into law.
A second policy element was the incursion of U.S. ground forces into eastern Cambodia that
President Nixon ordered on April 30, 1970. U.S. ground troops withdrew by June 30, 1970, but
U.S. bombing of North Vietnamese and Khmer Rouge forces in Cambodia continued. Proposed
and enacted amendments in Congress were designed to prohibit both the reintroduction of U.S.
ground forces into Cambodia after June 30, 1970 and continued U.S. aerial bombing of

1 For a comparison of funding cutoffs and use of the War Powers Act, see CRS Report RS20775, Congressional Use of
Funding Cutoffs Since 1970 Involving U.S. Military Forces and Overseas Deployments, by Richard F. Grimmett.



Cambodia. The “Cooper-Church” amendment, enacted into law in January 1971, prohibited the
reintroduction of U.S. ground forces into Cambodia. The restrictive bills passed in June and July
1973 terminated funding for the bombing in Cambodia on August 15, 1973, and bombing stopped
on that date.
The incursion into Cambodia had an important impact on congressional attempts to legislate
restrictions on U.S. military operations. It triggered congressional amendments aimed at
restrictions on U.S. military operations not only in Cambodia but in Vietnam as well.
The third policy element was the negotiation and signing of an “Agreement on Ending the War
and Restoring Peace in Vietnam” between the United States and North Vietnam on January 27,

1973. The agreement, in effect a cease-fire agreement with additional political provisions,


provided for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from South Vietnam within 60 days of the signing
of the accord. U.S. troops were withdrawn fully by March 1973.
A major problem for President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger in negotiating the
agreement was securing the support of South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu. In a
November 14, 1972, letter, President Nixon assured President Thieu that “But far more important
than what we say in the agreement on this issue is what we do in the event the enemy renews its
aggression. You have my absolute assurance that if Hanoi fails to abide by the terms of this 2
agreement it is my intention to take swift and severe retaliatory action.”
President Nixon and other Administration officials hinted publicly in March 1973 that the United
States would intervene militarily if North Vietnam violated the cease-fire agreement. On May 3,

1973, President Nixon submitted a report to Congress entitled U.S. Foreign Policy for the 1970s:


Shaping a Durable Peace. In it, he asserted that the United States would not tolerate communist
violations of the agreement and that North Vietnam would risk renewed confrontation with the 3
United States if it broke the agreement.
President Nixon undoubtedly had in mind the renewal of U.S. bombing of North Vietnam and
North Vietnamese forces in South Vietnam if Hanoi renewed the war. As the Nixon
Administration withdrew U.S. ground forces from Vietnam in 1971 and 1972, it ordered heavy
bombing of communist forces and installations, including massive bombing by B-52 bombers.
These indications of Nixon’s policy intention no doubt influenced the legislation proposed and
passed by Congress in mid-1973 to cut off funding for combat operations “in or over or from off
the shore of North Vietnam, South Vietnam....”
For a CRS Report that compares Congressional funding cutoffs of U.S. military forces to use of
the War Powers Act, see CRS Report RS20775, Congressional Use of Funding Cutoffs Since

1970 Involving U.S. Military Forces and Overseas Deployments, by Richard F. Grimmett.



2 Nixon, Richard. No More Vietnams. New York, Arbor House, 1985. P. 155-156. Kissinger, Henry. Ending the
Vietnam War. New York, Simon & Schuster, 2003. P. 385.
3 Karnow, Stanley. Vietnam: A History. New York, The Viking Press, 1983. P. 656. U.S. Congressional Research
Service. U.S. Foreign Policy for the 1970’s: An Analysis of the President’s 1973 Foreign Policy Report and
Congressional Action. Prepared for the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Washington, DC, U.S. Govt. Print.
Office, 1973. P. 19.






The proposals included in Table 1 adopted funding cutoffs that follow certain patterns. The
section that follows describes the types of restrictions and identifies proposals that fall under that
category using the number included in both the tables and the Appendix that follow.
The proposals to cut off funds generally prohibit obligating or expending funds in a particular bill
or bills after Congress has appropriated the funds. Obligations occur when the government signs a 4
contract to buy goods or services or pays its military or civilian personnel. Expenditures, or
outlays, take place when the contractor or employee is paid.
Generally, funding prohibitions apply as of a certain date, to specific countries, and to particular
types of military activities (entries 2, 3, 4, 5). In one case, the Department of Defense was
prohibited from transferring funds from its regular programs to finance wartime operations (entry

19).


In some cases, funding prohibitions applied to certain military operations—such as combat
operations—and were absolute (entries 2, 3, 4, 18). In other cases, funding was to be cut off for
some military activities (e.g., combat) but permitted for other activities (e.g., the withdrawal of
troops or the protection of U.S. civilians) (entries 7, 8, 11, 15).
In other cases, the funding cutoff was contingent upon certain conditions or events taking place,
such as the negotiation by the President of a cease-fire, the release of U.S. prisoners of war
(POWs), or a presidential determination that personnel can be withdrawn safely (entries 12, 13,
14, 16). In some cases, the President could recommend extending the deadline if certain
conditions, such as the safe withdrawal of troops, have not occurred (entries 13, 14). The
prohibition on obligating or spending funds could also be reversed if Congress authorized the
activity (entries 5, 8, 20, 21).
Prohibitions on funding were set to take effect as of or after a particular date or some specified
length of time after enactment and applied to the funds included in the bill under consideration, 5
all previous bills of that type, or any bill (entries 2, 3, 8, 17, 20, 25, 27). Funding restrictions
were placed in various types of bills, often appropriations bills but sometimes authorization or
other bills (e.g., amendments to the Selective Service Act).

4 Obligations also occur when one of the military services orders goods or services from other DOD organizations that
supply parts, repair weapons systems, or provide other services such as providing fuel.
5 Prohibitions that apply to any bill including future bills could be challenged on constitutional grounds since one
Congress cannot obligate another Congress.





The range of prohibited military activities included also varied from the specific—“Bomb, rocket,
napalm, or otherwise attack by air, any target whatsoever ...” (entry 14) or the “deployment of
ground elements” in Yugoslavia (entry 21) to general designations such as combat activities,
conducting U.S. military operations (entries 2, 13) or “to support directly or indirectly combat
activities,” (entry 18) or the “involvement of U.S. military forces in hostilities” (entry 20).
The well-known McGovern-Hatfield amendment that was considered in 1970 combined several
of the elements above—prohibiting funds for some but not other specified military activities,
setting two specific deadlines, one for a ceiling on the number of troops and another for the
withdrawal of remaining forces while at the same time giving the President some leeway to
propose an alternative.
The amendment prohibited the obligation or expenditure of funds “authorized by this or any other
act” to “maintain a troop level of more than 280,000 armed forces” in Vietnam after April 30,
1971, unless the President finds that a 60-day extension is necessary and recommends that to
Congress. For a set period—between April 30 and December 31, 1971, the amendment limited
the “expenditure of funds” in or over Indochina to the “safe and systematic withdrawal of
remaining forces,” or providing asylum to endangered Vietnamese (entry 9). It was rejected in
June 1971.
Table 2 describes eight proposals—including four that were enacted—which adopt a variety of
non-funding restrictions considered by Congress during the Indochina conflict. Several well-
known amendments were introduced by Senator Mansfield including two that required the
termination of U.S. military operations in Indochina at “the earliest practicable date” as well as a
withdrawal of all troops within either six or nine months. These versions ultimately did not pass
(entries 25, and 27).
Two other Mansfield amendments provided for a “prompt and orderly withdrawal” at “the earliest
practicable date,” but did not set a time limit (entries 24 and 26). One amendment was a sense of
the Congress and the other stated that it was U.S. policy to terminate military operations and
withdraw forces. Although both of these amendments were enacted in the fall of 1971, their
practical effect is not clear since no deadline was set. All U.S. troops were withdrawn by March
1973 as required by the Paris Peace accords, almost a year and a half after passage of the first
Mansfield amendment.
In other cases, such as Somalia in 1993, Congress considered provisions requiring that the
President remove forces by January 31, 1994, unless there is a declaration of war or specific
congressional authorization (entry 30).
Congress also considered and passed a repeal of the August 10, 1964, Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
that gave congressional approval to “take all necessary measures” to repel an armed attack against
the United States in January 1971, but military operations continued in Vietnam for another two
years (entry 22).





Table 1. Funding Restrictions on Military Operations
Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
ENACTED
Special Foreign Cooper-Prohibited using any funds S.Rept. H.Rept. 91- Adopted 72-5-Jan-71 P.L. 91-1
19911 Assistance Act Church authorized or appropriated in 91-1437 1791 22 [S. Rpt] 652
of 1971 this or any other act to finance H. Adopted Sec. 7
the introduction of ground voice vote
troops or U.S. advisors in S. Adopted 41-
Cambodia. Specified that any 20
military or economic assistance
given to Cambodia should not
be construed as a commitment
iki/CRS-RL33803to defend Cambodia.
g/wMaking Prohibited obligation or S.Rept. H.Rept. 93- Adopted 73-1-Jul-73 P.L. 93-2
s.or636 Continuing expenditure of any funds in this 93-277 364 16 52
leakApprop. for the Fiscal Year 1974, or any previous law on or after August 15, 1973 to directly or H. Adopted 266-75 [S. Rpt.] Sec. 108
://wikiand for Other Purposes indirectly finance “combat in or over or from off the shores of S. Adopted by voice vote
httpNorth Vietnam, South Vietnam,
Laos or Cambodia.”
Continuing Extended the ban on obligating H.Rept. Adopted Adopted 73-2 16-Oct-73 P.L. 93-3


727 Approp., 1974 or expending funds 93-519 309-99 124
appropriated in this or previous Adopted Sec. 1
laws for combat activities in or 368-7 [See
over Cambodia, Laos and North Sec. 108
and South Vietnam that was of
included in the CR for FY74 CR P.L. 93-
(P.L. 93-52) from August 15, 52]
1973 until the adjournment of rd
the 93 Congress.



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
Second Supp. Prohibited expenditure of funds H.Rept. No Adopted Adopted 72-1-Jul-73 P.L. 93-4
9055 Approps. Act, in this act for reconstruction in 93-350 amdt. or 278-124 14 50,
1973 North Vietnam; prohibited debate Sec. 304
expenditure of funds in this or and
any previous act or for combat Sec. 307
activities “in or over . . . or off
the shores of” Cambodia, Laos,
North Vietnam and South
Vietnam after August 15, 1973.
Department of Prohibited obligation or S.Rept. H.Rept. 93-Adopted st Adopted 18-Oct-73 P.L. 93-5
7645 State Approp. expenditure of appropriations in 93-176 367; 1 Conf. Senate Rept. 126,
Auth. Act of previous or any future act on or 2nd Conf. Rpt: Rpt. by 67-15 ndSec. 13
1973 after August 15, 1973 to H.Rept. 93-voice Adopted 2
iki/CRS-RL33803“finance the involvement of U.S. 563; vote, with Conf. Rpt. by
g/wmilitary forces in hostilities in or [Added August revisions voice vote
s.orover or from off the shores of” North Vietnam, South Vietnam, 15, 1973 date to Case-Adopted 2nd Conf.
leakLaos or Cambodia or to Church amdt.] Rpt. by
nd Conf. Rpt. voice vote
://wikiprovide assistance of any kind to North Vietnam unless funds 2adopted in H.
httpare specifically authorized by and S. by voice
Congress. vote.
3394 Foreign Established a cap for U.S. S.Rept. H.Rept. 93-Conf. rpt. Adopted S. bill 30-Dec.-74 P.L. 93-6


Assistance Act personnel present in South 93-1134 1610 Adopted 46-45 559
of 1974 Vietnam. Effective six months (1st 209-189 Adopted conf. Sec. 38
after enactment, the total Rpt.); rpt.
number of personnel was S.Rept. 49-43
limited to 4,000, not more than 93-1299 nd
2,500 of whom could be (2
members of the Armed Forces, Rpt.)
direct hire, or contract
employees of the Department
of Defense. One year after
enactment, those cap levels
were reduced, respectively, to
3,000 and 1,500.



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
Department of Byrd Prohibited the obligations of H.Rept. 103-Adopted Byrd floor 11-Nov-93 P.L. 103-7
3116 Defense Approp. funds after March 31, 1994 for 339 conf. rpt., amdt., calling 139
Act, 1994 military operations in Somalia voice vote for March 31 Sec.8151
unless 1) requested by the deadline,
president and authorized by Adopted 76-
Congress; 2) necessary to 23
protect U.S. civilians; 3) for U.S. Adopted conf.
combat forces under the rpt., 88-9
command and control of U.S.
commanders; and 4) if the
President intensifies efforts, to
have UN members deploy
additional troops to Somalia to
iki/CRS-RL33803take over U.S. efforts.
g/wNON-ENACTED AMENDMENTS WITH ROLL-CALL VOTES
s.or To Amend the Cooper-Prohibits expenditure of funds Tabled in Adopted 58- 8
leak15628 Foreign Military Church in this Act or any other law a motion 37
Sales Act, and after July 1, 1970 to retain U.S. by Riegle,
://wikifor Other forces in Cambodia, support 237-153
httpPurposes U.S. personnel or contract for military instruction or conduct
combat activities in Cambodia
“unless specifically authorized
by law hereafter enacted.”
[As introduced in the Senate
and adopted, and later tabled in
the House]
Military McGovern-Prohibits the obligation or Rejected 39- 9


17123 Procurement Hatfield expenditures of funds 55
Authorization “authorized by this or any other
Act of FY1971 act” to “maintain a troop level
of more than 280,000 armed
forces” in Vietnam after April
30, 1971 unless the president
finds that up to a 60-day
extension is needed in case of a



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
clear and present danger to U.S.
troops, or the president
submits a new date for
Congressional approval and
informs Congress within 10
days of the extension; between
April 30 and December 31,l971,
limits expenditure of funds for
U.S. armed forces “in and over
Indochina” to “safe and
systematic withdrawal of
remaining armed forces” and
provision of safe asylum for
endangered Vietnamese.
iki/CRS-RL33803[As introduced in the Senate
g/wand rejected.]
s.orMilitary Selective McGovern-Prohibits expenditure of any Rejected 42- 10
leak6531 Service Act of Hatfield funds after Dec. 31, 1972 that 55
1967, have been authorized or
://wikiAmendments appropriated under this or any
httpother act for deploying U.S. armed forces or conducting
military operations “in or over
Indochina” except for
protecting U.S. forces during a
withdrawal, arranging
protection for endangered S.
Vietnamese, Cambodians, or
Laotians, or assisting
Indochinese nations as approved
by Congress.
[As introduced in the Senate
and rejected.]
Military Selective Chiles Prohibits expenditure of any Rejected 44- 11


6531 Service Act of funds authorized or 52
1967, appropriated under this or any
Amendments other act after June 1, 1972 to



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
deploy or maintain U.S. armed
forces or conduct military
operations “in or over
Indochina” except to protect
U.S. forces during withdrawal,
provide protection for
endangered S. Vietnamese,
Cambodians, or Laotians, or
assist nations of Indochina in
amounts approved by Congress.
[As introduced in the Senate
and rejected.]
Military Selective Cook Prohibits expenditure of funds Adopted 61- 12
iki/CRS-RL338036531 Service Act of 1967, authorized or appropriated in this or any other law nine 38 Later
g/wAmendments months after enactment to amended by
s.orsupport U.S. troops or conduct Mansfield
leakU.S. military operations “in or amdt. in the
over” South Vietnam, Laos, nature of a
://wikiCambodia, or North Vietnam, substitute (see
httpsubject to a commitment from the N. Vietnamese gov’t to # 25).
release U.S. personnel within 60
days of enactment; requires
reporting to Congress and sets
up expedited procedures to
consider continuation of
provisions.
[As introduced in the Senate
and adopted (later amended by
Mansfield amdt. in the nature of
a substitute (see #25)).]
Armed Forces, Nedzi-Prohibits expenditure of any Rejected 13


8687 Approp. Whalen funds authorized or 158-255
Authorization appropriated in this Act after
1972 December 31, 1971 to deploy
U.S. military personnel or



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
conduct military operations in
or over South Vietnam, North
Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos; if
the President determines that
U.S. military personnel cannot
be withdrawn safely or
prisoners of war cannot be
returned, the President shall
recommend to Congress
another date within the fiscal
year.
[As introduced in the House
and rejected]
iki/CRS-RL338038687 Armed Forces, Approp. Author. Gravel Prohibits expenditure of any funds authorized or Rejected 19-64 14
g/w1972 appropriated under this or any
s.orother law to “bomb, rocket,
leaknapalm, or otherwise attack by
air any target whatsoever”
://wikiwithin Cambodia, Thailand,
httpVietnam or Laos unless the President determines it
necessary to ensure the safety
of U.S. forces withdrawing from
Indochina.
[As introduced in the Senate
and rejected.]
Foreign Cooper- States that the repeal of the [Stricken out 15


9910 Assistance Act Church Tonkin Gulf Resolution has left of H.R. 9910
of 1971 the U.S. government without by the Scott
congressional authority for amdt., which
continued participation in the was adopted
Indochina war. Requires that on by a 47-44
or after enactment of this act, vote]
funds authorized in this or any
other Act can be used only to
withdraw U.S. forces from



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
Indochina and may not be used
to engage in hostilities in North
or South Vietnam, Cambodia or
Laos except to protect
withdrawing forces.
[As reported by the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee
(later stricken out by the Scott
amdt. on the floor)]
Armed Forces, Cranston Requires withdrawal of all Adopted 50- 16


15495 Approp. Author. troops and states that “No 47
1973 funds shall be authorized,
appropriated, or used” to
iki/CRS-RL33803maintain any U.S. military forces in South Vietnam after October
g/w1, 1972. States that U.S.
s.orinvolvement “shall terminate”
leakafter a verified ceasefire
agreement, the release of U.S.
://wikiPrisoners of War (POW), and
httpan accounting for all missing POWs.
[As introduced in the Senate,
adopted, and later amended by
the Brooke amdt. (see # 17).]



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
Armed Forces, Brooke Limits use of funds authorized H.Rept. 92- Amended the 17
15495 Approp. Author. or appropriated by this or any 1388 Cranston
1973 other act to withdrawal of or amdt. in the
protection of withdrawing nature of a
forces from Vietnam, Cambodia substitute (see
and Laos to be carried out # 16).
within four months after the Adopted 49-
enactment provided that all 47.
American prisoners of war are Brooke amdt.
released. [As introduced in the then stripped
Senate, adopted to amend the out of H.R.
Cranston amdt. (see # 16) (later 15495 in
stripped out).] conference.
iki/CRS-RL33803House Conferees
g/wruled the
s.orprovision non-
leakgermane
://wiki7447 Supp. Approps., 1973 Prohibits expenditure of funds appropriated in Act for S.Rept. 93-160 H.Rept. 93-295 Adopted as part of H.R. Vetoed June 27, 1973 18


httpreconstruction of North H. Adopted 7447 [See # 4,
Vietnam and prohibits use of 235-172 73-5 the Second
funds appropriated in this or S. Adopted 81-Supp.
past acts to support “directly or 11 Approp.
indirectly combat activities in, Act, 1973
over, or from off the shores of for a similar
Cambodia or Laos” by U.S. version that
forces. was
[As reported in S. Rpt 93-160 enacted]
and included in both Senate and
Conference passed versions of
H.R. 7447, which was later
vetoed by the President.]



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
Supp. Approps., Addabbo Prohibits the Defense H.Rept. S.Rept. H.Rept. 93-Adopted Adopted as Vetoed June 19
7447 1973 Department from transferring 93-164 93-160 295 219-188 part of H.R. 27, 1973
$430 million in H.R. 7447 from H. Adopted Adopted 7447 [See # 4,
other defense programs for U.S. 235-172 as part of 73-5 the Second
military activity in Southeast S. Adopted 81-H.R. 7447 Supp.
Asia, including the cost of 11 284-96 Approp.
bombing raids over Cambodia Act, 1973]
incurred from January through
March 1973 and paying for
increased costs due to
devaluation of the dollar.
[As reported in H.Rept. 93-164
and adopted in House, Senate,
iki/CRS-RL33803and Conference passed versions of H.R. 7447, which was later
g/wvetoed by the President.]
s.orState Case- Prohibits obligation or S.Rept. Adopted as 20


leak7645 Department Church expenditure of funds 93-176 part of H.R.
://wikiApprop. Authorization “heretofore or hereafter appropriated” to finance the 7645 67-15
httpinvolvement of U.S. military
forces in North Vietnam, South
Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia or
to provide direct or indirect
assistance to North Vietnam
“unless specifically authorized
hereafter by the Congress.”
[As reported by the Senate
Foreign Relations committee
and adopted in the Senate
(modified in conference., see #5
for an enacted version of the
language).]



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
Military Prohibits obligating or Adopted 21
1569 Operations in expending funds appropriated 249-180
the Federal to the Defense Department for
Republic of the deployment of “ground
Yugoslavia elements” of the U.S. Armed
Limitation Act of Forces in the Federal Republic
1999 of Yugoslavia unless that
deployment is specifically
authorized by law except to
rescue U.S. or NATO military
personnel or U.S. civilians.
[As introduced and passed by
the House.]
iki/CRS-RL33803Emergency Steel Istook States that none of the funds Rejected 22
g/w1664 Loan Guarantee appropriated by this act are 117-301
s.orand Emergency Oil and Gas available to implement “any plan to invade the Federal Republic
leakGuaranteed of Yugoslavia with ground
://wikiLoan Act of 1999 forces” of the U.S. “except in time of war.”
http[As introduced and rejected.]
Source: Congressional Record, Congressional reports and public law, as cited above.
Note: Table prepared by Lynn J. Cunningham and Hannah Fischer.





Table 2. Non-Funding Restrictions on Military Operations
Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
NON-FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
ENACTED
To Amend the Repeal of the Repealed the August 10, 1964 H.Rept. 91-Adopted, Adopted, voice 12-Jan-71 P.L. 91-23
15628 Foreign Military Gulf of Gulf of Tonkin Resolution 1805 voice vote vote 672
Sales Act, and Tonkin which had given congressional Sec. 12
for Other Resolution approval to the Johnson
Purposes [Introduced Administration “to take all
by Dole] necessary measures to repel
an armed attack against the
forces of the United States
and to prevent any further
aggression” as of the
iki/CRS-RL33803adjournment of the 91st Congress, January 2, 1971.
g/w
s.or6531 Military Selective Mansfield Called for the termination of military operations in H.Rept. 92-433 Adopted 298-108 Adopted 55-30 [Conf. Rpt.] 28-Sep-71 P.L. 92-129 24
leakService Act of Indochina at “the earliest [Conf. Rpt] Sec. 401
://wiki1967, Amendments practicable date,” and for a withdrawal of all forces,
httpsubject to the return of all
American prisoners of war.
Also urged the President to
negotiate with North Vietnam
a date for the withdrawal of
all forces, an immediate cease-
fire agreement, and a series of
phased and rapid withdrawals
of U.S. forces in return for the
release of prisoners of war.
H.R. 8687 Armed Forces, Mansfield Called for the termination of H.Rept. 92-Adopted by Adopted 65-19 17-Nov-P.L. 92-26


Approp. military operations in 618 voice vote [Conf. Rpt.] 71 156
Authorization Indochina at “the earliest [Conf. Rpt.] Sec. 601
1972 practicable date,” and for a
withdrawal of all forces,
subject to the return of all
American prisoners of war.



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
NON-FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
Also urged the President to
set a final date for the
withdrawal of all forces, to
negotiate a cease-fire
agreement with North
Vietnam, and to negotiate
with North Vietnam a series
of phased and rapid
withdrawals of U.S. forces in
return for the release of
prisoners of war.
2401 National Gephardt Sense of the Congress H.Rept. 103-Adopted Adopted Conf. 30-Nov-P.L. 103-28
Defense resolution that the President 357 Gephardt Rpt. 77-22 93 160
iki/CRS-RL33803Authorization Act for Fiscal “should consult closely with the Congress” about U.S. amdt. with this language Sec. 1512
g/wYear 1994 policy in Somalia, particularly 405-23
s.orthe deployment of troops, Adopted
leakrequired the President to conf. rpt.
report to Congress on the 273-135
://wikigoals, objectives, and
http“anticipated duration in Somalia” of U.S. forces; Stated
that Congress “believes” the
President should “seek and
receive congressional
authorization” for the
continued deployment of U.S.
forces in Somalia by
November 15, 1993.
NON-ENACTED AMENDMENTS WITH ROLL CALL VOTES
6531 Military Mansfield Declared it to be U.S. policy Amended the 25


Selective to “terminate at the earliest Cook amdt., in
Service Act of practicable date all military the nature of a
1967, operations of the United substitute (see
Amendments States in Indochina,” and #12 for the
“provide for a prompt and Cook amdt.).
orderly withdrawal of all” U.S. Adopted, 57-42



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
NON-FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
military forces within nine Language
months of enactment subject revised in
to the release of all American conference.
prisoners of war. “Urges and See # 24 for
directs the President” to set a revised version
withdrawal date and negotiate that became a
with North Vietnam a cease-public law.
fire agreement with “a series
of rapid and phased
withdrawals” of U.S. forces in
return for release of U.S.
prisoners of war.
[As introduced to amend the
Cook amdt. (see #12) (later
iki/CRS-RL33803revised in conference).]
g/wH.R. 8687 Armed Forces, Mansfield Declared it to be U.S. policy Adopted 57-38 27


s.orApprop. to “terminate at the earliest Language
leakAuthorization practicable date all military revised in
1972 operations of the United conference.
://wikiStates in Indochina,” and See # 26 for
http“provide for a prompt and orderly withdrawal of all” U.S. revised version that became a
military forces within six public law.
months of enactment subject
to the release of all American
prisoners of war. “Urges and
directs the president” to set a
withdrawal date and negotiate
with North Vietnam a cease-
fire agreement with “a series
of rapid and phased
withdrawals” of U.S. forces in
return for release of U.S.
prisoners of war.
[As introduced (later revised
in conference).]



Committee Reports Votes on amdt./rpt. Legislative Common Date Public Appendix
# Vehicle Name of Brief Description Enacted Law #, #
Amdt. House Senate Conference House Senate Section
NON-FUNDING RESTRICTIONS ON MILITARY OPERATIONS
16029 Foreign Hamilton Terminates the “involvement H.Rept. Provision 29
Assistance Act of” U.S. forces in hostilities on 92-included in
of 1972 or over Indochina and 1273 H.Rept. 92-
requires withdrawal of those 1273 and
forces by October 1, 1972 if then was
there is a verified cease-fire stripped out
between the United States of H.R.
and North Vietnam and its 16029 by the
allies allowing for a safe Bolling amdt,
withdrawal of U.S. forces, and adopted 229-
subject to release of all 177.
American prisoners of war
and accounting for all
iki/CRS-RL33803Americans missing in action. [As reported in H.Rept. 92-
g/w1273 (later stripped out).]
s.orDepartment of Gilman Directs the President to Adopted 30
leak170 Defense remove U.S. armed forces 224-203
://wikiApprop. Act, 1994 from Somalia by January 31, 1994 citing requirement in the Adopted an amdt., setting
httpWar Powers Act to remove March 31
U.S. forces unless there is a deadline,
declaration of war or specific 226-201
Congressional authorization if
Congress passes a concurrent
resolution.
[As introduced (later
amended to set a March 31,
1994, rather than January 31,
1994, deadline).]
Source: Congressional Record, Congressional reports and public law, as cited above.
Notes: Numbers in the Appendix column are not sequential in order to segregate enacted and non-enacted provisions in the Mansfield Amendment, whereas the
Appendix itself follows the chronological progression of the Mansfield amendment. Table prepared by Lynn J. Cunningham and Hannah Fischer.






1. Cooper-Church Amendment, P.L. 91-652, H.R. 19911
Sec. 7. (a) In line with the expressed intention of the President of the United States, none of the
funds authorized or appropriated pursuant to this or any other act may be used to finance the
introduction of United States ground troops into Cambodia, or to provide United States advisers
to or for Cambodian military forces in Cambodia; (b) military and economic assistance provided
by the United States to Cambodia and authorized or appropriated pursuant to this or any other act
shall not be construed as a commitment by the United States to Cambodia for its defense.
2. Continuing Appropriations, P.L. 93-52, H.J.Res. 636
Sec. 108. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on or after August 15, 1973, no funds
herein or heretofore appropriated may be obligated or expended to finance directly or indirectly
combat activities by United States military forces in or over or from off the shores of North
Vietnam, South Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia.
3. Continuing Appropriations, 1974, P.L. 93-124, H.J.Res. 727
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That clause (c) of section 102 of the joint resolution of July 1, 1973 (P.L.
93-52), is hereby amended by striking out “September 30, 1973” and inserting in lieu thereof “the
sine die adjournment of the first session of the Ninety-third Congress”.
4. Second Supplemental Appropriations Act, P.L. 93-50, H.R. 9055
Sec. 304. No funds appropriated in this Act shall be expended to aid or assist in the reconstruction
of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).
Sec. 307. None of the funds herein appropriated under this Act may be expended to support
directly or indirectly combat activities in or over Cambodia, Laos, North Vietnam and South
Vietnam or off the shores of Cambodia, Laos, North Vietnam and South Vietnam by United States
forces, and after August 15, 1973, no other funds heretofore appropriated under any other Act
may be expended for such purpose.
5. Department of State Authorization, P.L. 93-126, H.R. 7645
Sec. 13. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on or after August 15, 1973, no funds
heretofore or hereafter appropriated may be obligated or expended to finance the involvement of
United States military forces in hostilities in or over or from off the shores of North Vietnam,
South Vietnam, Laos, or Cambodia, unless specifically authorized hereafter by the Congress.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon enactment of this Act, no funds heretofore or
hereafter appropriated may be obligated or expended for the purpose of providing assistance of
any kind, directly or indirectly, to or on behalf of North Vietnam, unless specifically authorized
hereafter by the Congress.





6. Foreign Assistance Act of 1974, P.L. 93-559, S. 3394
Sec. 38. Limitations With Respect to South Vietnam
(4)(B)(f) (1) Effective six months after the date of enactment of this section, the total number of
civilian officers and employees, including contract employees, of executive agencies of the
United States Government who are citizens of the United States and of members of the Armed
Forces of the United States present in South Vietnam shall not at any one time exceed four
thousand, not more than two thousand five hundred of whom shall be members of such armed
forces and direct hire and contract employees of the Department of Defense. Effective one year
after the date of enactment of this section, such total number shall not exceed at any one time
three thousand, not more than one thousand five hundred of whom shall be members of such
armed forces and direct hire and contract employees of the Department of Defense.
7. Byrd Amendment, P.L. 103-139, H.R. 3116
Sec. 8151. (B) United States combat forces in a security role and as an interim force protection
supplement to United Nations units: Provided, That funds appropriated, or otherwise made
available, in this or any other Act to the Department of Defense may be obligated for expenses
incurred only through March 31, 1994, for the operations of United States Armed Forces in
Somalia: Provided further, That such date may be extended if so requested by the President and
authorized by the Congress: Provided further, That funds may be obligated beyond March 31,
1994 to support a limited number of United States military personnel sufficient only to protect
American diplomatic facilities and American citizens, and noncombat personnel to advise the
United Nations commander in Somalia: Provided further, That United States combat forces in
Somalia shall be under the command and control of United States commanders under the ultimate
direction of the President of the United States: Provided further, That the President should
intensify efforts to have United Nations member countries immediately deploy additional troops
to Somalia to fulfill previous force commitments made to the United Nations and to deploy
additional forces to assume the security missions of United States Armed Forces....

8. Cooper-Church Amendment, H.R. 15628, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Amdt. No.


3, H.R. 15628
In concert with the declared objectives of the President of the United States to avoid the
involvement of the United States in Cambodia after July 1, 1970, and to expedite the withdrawal
of American forces from Cambodia, it is hereby provided that unless specifically authorized by
law hereafter enacted, no funds authorized or appropriated pursuant to this act or any other law
may be expended after July 1, 1970 for the purpose of:
(1) retaining United States forces in Cambodia;
(2) paying the compensation or allowances of, or otherwise supporting, directly or indirectly, any
United States personnel in Cambodia who furnish military instruction to Cambodian forces or
engage in any combat activity in support of Cambodian forces;
(3) entering into or carrying out any contract or agreement to provide military instruction in
Cambodia or to provide persons to engage in any combat activity in support of Cambodian
forces; or





(4) conducting any combat activity in direct support of Cambodian forces; nothing contained in
this section shall be deemed to impugn the constitutional power of the President as Commander
in Chief, including the exercise of that constitutional power which may be necessary to protect
the lives of U.S. armed forces wherever deployed; nothing contained in this section shall be
deemed to impugn the constitutional powers of the Congress including the power to declare war
and to make rules for the government and regulation of the armed forces of the United States.
9. McGovern-Hatfield Amendment, H.R. 17123
(a) In accordance with public statements of policy by the President, no funds authorized by this or
any other act may be obligated or expended to maintain a troop level of more than 280,000 armed
forces of the United States in Vietnam after April 30, 1971.
(b) After April 30, 1971, funds herein authorized or hereafter appropriated may be expended in
connection with activities of American Armed Forces in and over Indochina only to accomplish
the following objectives:
(1) the orderly termination of military operations there and the safe and systematic
withdrawal of remaining armed forces by December 31, 1971;
(2) to secure the release of prisoners of war;
(3) the provision of asylum for Vietnamese who might be physically endangered by
withdrawal of American forces; and
(4) to provide assistance to the Republic of Vietnam consistent with the foregoing objectives;
provided however, that if the President while giving effect to the foregoing paragraphs of this
section, finds in meeting the termination date that members of the American armed forces are
exposed to unanticipated clear and present danger, he may suspend the application of paragraph

2(a) for a period not to exceed 60 days and shall inform the Congress forthwith of his findings;


and within 10 days following application of the suspension the President may submit
recommendations, including (if necessary) a new date applicable to subsection b(1) for
Congressional approval.
10. McGovern-Hatfield Amendment, H.R. 6531
Sec. 302. (a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, no funds authorized or
appropriated under this or any other law may be expended after December 31, 1971, to support
the deployment of United States Armed Forces in or the conduct of United States military
operations in or over Indochina.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of the President to:
(1) provide for the safety of American armed forces during the withdrawal from Indochina,
(2) arrange asylum or other means of protection for South Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians
who might be physically endangered by the withdrawal of American armed forces, or
(3) to provide assistance to the nations of Indochina, in amounts approved by the Congress,
consistent with the objectives of this section.





(c) If, after sixty days after the date of enactment of this Act, North Vietnam and other
adversary forces in Indochina holding American prisoners of war have not made arrangements for
the release and repatriation, by December 31, 1971, of all such prisoners:
(1) the date in subsection (a) shall be extended for sixty days, and
(2) the Congress may by joint resolution authorize such further action as is recommended by the
President to secure the release and repatriation of American prisoners of war.
11. Chiles Amendment, H.R. 6531
Sec. 302. (a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, no funds authorized or
appropriated under this or any other law may be expended after June 1, 1972, to support the
deployment or maintenance of United States Armed Forces in or the conduct of United States
military operations in or over Indochina.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect the authority of the President to:
(1) provide for the safety of American Armed Forces during their withdrawal from Indochina,
(2) arrange asylum or other means of protection for South Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians
who might be physically endangered by the withdrawal of American Armed Forces, or
(3) to provide assistance to the nations of Indochina, in amounts approved by the Congress,
consistent with the objectives of this section.
(c) This section shall have no force or effect if North Vietnam and other adversary forces in
Indochina holding American prisoners of war or Americans designated as missing in action but
held as prisoners of war have not completed the release and repatriation of all such prisoners and
missing in action by a date 60 days prior to the date in subsection (a).
12. Cook Amendment, H.R. 6531
Sec. 302. (a) (1) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States to terminate all
involvement of the United States Armed Forces in Indochina as soon as practicable, and to
withdraw, within a period not to exceed nine months, all United States military forces and
equipment from South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
(2) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, no funds authorized or appropriated
under this or any other law may be expended after nine months from the date of enactment of this
section to support the deployment of United States Armed Forces in, or the conduct of United
States military operations in or over, South Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or North Vietnam.
(b) If, after the expiration of sixty days following the date of enactment of this section, the
President has been unable to obtain a firm commitment from the North Vietnamese Government
for the release of all United States personnel held captive by that Government and by forces allied
with that Government, he shall promptly report such fact to the Congress in writing, and on and
after the fifteenth day following the date on which such report is received by the Congress the
provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall have no further force and effect unless the
Congress provides for an extension of such provisions as hereinafter provided. Within fifteen
days after receiving a report from the President under this subsection, the Congress may





determine under the following procedures whether the provisions of subsection (a) of this section
shall be continued in effect notwithstanding the President’s report:
(1) any bill or resolution providing that subsection (a) of this section shall continue in effect
notwithstanding the report of the President, shall, if sponsored or cosponsored by one-third of the
Members of the House of Congress in which it originates, be considered reported to the floor of
such House no later than one day following its introduction, unless the members of such House
otherwise determine by yeas and nays; and any such bill or resolution referred to a committee
after having passed one House of Congress shall be considered reported from such committee
within three days after it is referred to such committee, unless the Members of the House
referring it to committee shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays; and
(2) any bill or resolution reported pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection shall immediately
become the pending business of the House to which it is reported, and shall be voted upon within
three days after such report, unless such House shall otherwise determine by yeas and nays.
(c) Nothing of this section shall be construed to affect the authority of the President to:
(1) provide for the safety of the Armed Forces of the United States during their withdrawal from
South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia,
(2) arrange asylum or other means of protection for South Vietnamese, Cambodians, and Laotians
who might be physically endangered by the withdrawal of Armed Forces of the United States, or
(3) provide assistance as specified by the Congress to the nations of Indochina, in amounts
approved by the Congress, consistent with the objectives of this section.
13. Nedzi-Whalen Amendment, H.R. 8687
Sec. 502 (a) No funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to this Act may be expended after
December 31, 1971, to support the deployment of U.S. military personnel or the conduct of any
U.S. military operations in or over South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos.
(b) If the President determines that the above limitations will not permit the safe and orderly
withdrawal of all U.S. military personnel from Vietnam, or ensure the return of prisoners of war,
he shall recommend to the Congress legislation setting another date within the fiscal year which
will permit the accomplishment of these objectives.
(c) This section shall not be construed to affect the constitutional power of the President as
Commander-in -Chief.
(d) This section shall not be construed to affect the power of the President to provide for (1)
asylum or other means to provide for the safety of citizens of the Republic of Vietnam who may
be endangered by withdrawal of U.S. forces , and (2) military and economic assistance to
Cambodia, Laos, or the Republic of Vietnam consistent with the objectives of this section.
(e) This section shall not be construed to limit the use of funds for purposes which may be
necessary to ensure the return of prisoners of war.
(f) This section shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of customary military
personnel to diplomatic missions.





14. Gravel Amendment, H.R. 8687
Title VI—Cessation of Bombing in Indochina
Sec. 601. (a) No funds authorized or appropriated under this or any other law may be expended
after the date of enactment of this Act to bomb, rocket, napalm, or otherwise attack by air, any
target whatsoever within the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Democratic
Republic of Vietnam, and the Kingdom of Laos.
(b) No funds authorized or appropriated under this or any other law may be expended after
the date of enactment of this Act to bomb, rocket, napalm, or otherwise attack by air, any target
whatsoever within the Republic of Vietnam unless the President determines any such air
operation to be necessary to provide for the safety of the United States Armed Forces during the
withdrawal from Indochina.
15. Cooper-Church Amendment, H.R. 9910
Withdrawal of United States Forces From Indochina
Sec. 406. (a) The Congress hereby finds that the repeal of the joint resolution entitled “Joint
Resolution to promote the maintenance of international peace and security in Southeast Asia”,
approved August 10, 1964 (Public Law 88-408), known as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, has left
the Government of the United States without congressional authority for continued participation
in the war in Indochina. Therefore, in order to bring an end to the involvement of the armed
forces of the United States in the hostilities in Indochina, to secure the safe return of the United
States’ prisoners of war held by North Vietnam and its allies, and to help bring about a political
settlement of the war in Indochina, it is the sense of the Congress that it should be the policy of
the United States to provide for the expeditious withdrawal from Indochina of all United States
armed forces.
(b) On and after the date of enactment of this Act, in order to carry out the policy of
withdrawal of all United States armed forces from Indochina, funds authorized for use by such
forces by this or any other Act may be used only for the purpose of withdrawal of all such forces
from Indochina and may not be used for the purpose of engaging such forces in hostilities in
North or South Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos, except for actions necessary to protect those forces
against imminent danger as they are withdrawn.
16. Cranston Amendment, H.R. 15495
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this or any other Act, all United States military forces,
including combat and support forces, stationed in South Vietnam, shall be withdrawn in a safe
and orderly manner from South Vietnam no later than October 1, 1972. No funds shall be
authorized, appropriated, or used for the purpose of maintaining any United States military forces,
including combat and support forces in South Vietnam after October 1, 1972.
(b) The involvement of United States military forces, land, sea, or air for the purpose of
maintaining, supporting, or engaging in hostilities in or over Indochina shall terminate after an
agreement for (1) a verified cease-fire between United States Forces and the National Liberation
Front and those allied with the National Liberation Front, and





(2) the release of all United States prisoners of war held by the Government of North Vietnam and
forces allied with such Government, and
(3) an accounting for all Americans missing in action who have been held by or known to such
Government of such forces. An accounting for such American personnel referred to above shall
be subject to verification by the International Red Cross or any other international body mutually
agreed to by the President of the United States and the Government of North Vietnam.
17. Brooke Amendment, H.R. 15495
Sec. 13. (a) Funds authorized or appropriated by this or any other Act for United States forces
with respect to military actions in Indochina may be used only for the purposes of withdrawing all
United States ground, naval, and air forces from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia and protecting
such forces as they are withdrawn. The withdrawal of all United States forces from Vietnam,
Laos, and Cambodia shall be carried out within four months after the date of enactment of this
act: Provided,
That there is a release within the four month period of all American prisoners of war held by the
Government of North Vietnam and all forces allied with such Government.
18. Supplemental Appropriations, H.R. 7447
Title III, Sec. 304. No funds appropriated in this Act shall be expended to aid or assist in the
reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam).
Sec. 305. None of the funds herein appropriated under this Act or heretofore appropriated under
any other Act may be expended to support directly or indirectly combat activities in, over or from
off the shores of Cambodia or in or over Laos by United States forces.
19. Addabbo Amendment, H.R. 7447
On Page 6, strike out lines 9 through 12.
[Affected language, from H.Rept. 93-449: ‘General Provisions: Section 735 of the Department of
Defense Appropriation Act, 1973, is amended by deleting “750,000,000” and inserting
“1,180,000,000” in lieu thereof.’]
20. Case-Church Amendment, H.R. 7645
Notwithstanding any other provision of law upon enactment of this act, no funds heretofore or
hereafter appropriated may be obligated or expended to finance the involvement of United States
military forces in hostilities in or over or from off the shores of North Vietnam, South Vietnam,
Laos or Cambodia unless specifically authorized hereafter by the Congress. Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, upon enactment of this act, no funds heretofore or hereafter appropriated
may be obligated or expended for the purpose of providing assistance of any kind, directly or
indirectly, to or on behalf of North Vietnam unless specifically authorized hereafter by the
Congress.





21. Military Operations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Limitation Act of 1999, H.R.


1569
Sec. 2. Prohibition on use of Department of Defense Funds for deployment of United States
Ground Forces to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia without specific authorization by law.
(a) In General.—None of the funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department of
Defense may be obligated or expended for the deployment of ground elements of the United
States Armed Forces in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia unless such deployment is specifically
authorized by a law enacted after the enactment of this Act.
(b) Rule of Construction.—The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to the
initiation of missions specifically limited to rescuing United States military personnel or United
States citizens in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia or rescuing military personnel of another
member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia as
a result of operations as a member of an air crew.
22. Istook Amendment, H.R. 1664
Sec. 503. None of the funds appropriated by this Act shall be available for the implementation of
any plan to invade the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia with ground forces of the United States,
except in time of war.
22. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, Repeal, P.L. 91-672, H.R. 15628
Sec. 12. The joint resolution entitled “Joint resolution to promote the maintenance of international
peace and security in Southeast Asia”, approved August 10, 1964 (78 Stat. 384; Public Law 88-
408), is terminated effective upon the day that the second session of the Ninety-first Congress is
last adjourned.
24. Mansfield Amendment, P.L. 92-129, H.R. 6531
Title IV—Termination of Hostilities in Indochina
Sec. 401. It is hereby declared to be the sense of Congress that the United States terminate at the
earliest practicable date all military operations of the United States in Indochina, and provide for
the prompt and orderly withdrawal of all United States military forces at a date certain subject to
the release of all American prisoners of war held by the Government of North Vietnam and forces
allied with such Government, and an accounting for all Americans missing in action who have
been held by or known to such Government or such forces. The Congress hereby urges and
requests the President to implement the above expressed policy by initiating immediately the
following actions:
(1) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for an immediate cease-fire by all
parties to the hostilities in Indochina.
(2) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for the establishing of a final date for
the withdrawal from Indochina of all military forces of the United States contingent upon the





release at a date certain of all American prisoners of war held by the Government of North
Vietnam and forces allied with such Government.
(3) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for an agreement which would provide
for a series of phased and rapid withdrawals of United States military forces from Indochina
subject to a corresponding series of phased releases of American prisoners of war, and for the
release of any remaining American prisoners of war concurrently with the withdrawal of all
remaining military forces of the United States by not later than the date established pursuant to
paragraph (2) hereof.
25. Mansfield Amendment, H.R. 6531
Title V—Termination of Hostilities in Indochina
Sec. 302. It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States to terminate at the earliest
practicable date all military operations of the United States in Indochina, and to provide for the
prompt and orderly withdrawal of all United States military forces not later than nine months
after the date of enactment of this section subject to the release of all American prisoners of war
held by the Government of North Vietnam and forces allied with such Government. The Congress
hereby urges and requests the President to implement the above expressed policy by initiating
immediately the following actions:
(1) Establishing a final date for the withdrawal from Indochina of all military forces of the United
States contingent upon the release of all American prisoners of war held by the Government of
North Vietnam and forces allied with such Government, such date to be not later than nine
months after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for an immediate cease-fire by all parties to
the hostilities in Indochina.
(3) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for an agreement which would provide for a
series of phased and rapid withdrawals of United States military forces from Indochina in
exchange for a corresponding series of phased releases of American prisoners of war, and for the
release of any remaining American prisoners of war concurrently with the withdrawal of all
remaining military forces of the United States by not later than the date established by the
President pursuant to paragraph (1) hereof or by such earlier date as may be agreed upon by the
negotiating parties.
26. Mansfield Amendment, P.L. 92-156, H.R. 8687
Title VI—Termination of Hostilities in Indochina
Sec. 601. (a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States to terminate at the earliest
practicable date all military operations of the United States in Indochina, and to provide for the
prompt and orderly withdrawal of all United States military forces at a date certain, subject to the
release of all American prisoners of war held by the Government of North Vietnam and forces
allied with such Government and an accounting for all Americans missing in action who have
been held by or known to such Government or such forces. The Congress hereby urges and
requests the President to implement the above expressed policy by initiating immediately the
following actions:





(1) Establishing a final date for the withdrawal from Indochina of all military forces of the
United States contingent upon the release of all American prisoners of war held by the
Government of North Vietnam and forces allied with such Government and an accounting for all
Americans missing in action who have been held by or known to such Government or such
forces.
(2) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for an immediate cease-fire by all
parties to the hostilities in Indochina.
(3) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for an agreement which would provide
for a series of phased and rapid withdrawals of United States military forces from Indochina in
exchange for a corresponding series of phased releases of American prisoners of war, and for the
release of any remaining American prisoners of war concurrently with the withdrawal of all
remaining military forces of the United States by not later than the date established by the
President pursuant to paragraph (1) hereof or by such earlier date as may be agreed upon by the
negotiating parties.
27. Mansfield Amendment, H.R. 8687
Title VI—Termination of Hostilities in Indochina
Sec. 601. (a) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States to terminate at the earliest
practicable date all military operations of the United States in Indochina, and to provide for the
prompt and orderly withdrawal of all United States military forces not later than six months after
the date of enactment of this section subject to the release of all American prisoners of war held
by the Government of North Vietnam and forces allied with such Government. The Congress
hereby urges and requests the President to implement the above expressed policy by initiating
immediately the following actions:
(1) Establishing a final date for the withdrawal from Indochina of all military forces of the United
States contingent upon the release of all American prisoners of war held by the Government of
North Vietnam and forces allied with such Government, such date to be not later than six months
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for an immediate cease-fire by all parties to
the hostilities in Indochina.
(3) Negotiate with the Government of North Vietnam for an agreement which would provide for a
series of phased and rapid withdrawals of United States military forces from Indochina in
exchange for a corresponding series of phased releases of American prisoners of war, and for the
release of any remaining American prisoners of war concurrently with the withdrawal of all
remaining military forces of the United States by not later than the date established by the
President pursuant to paragraph (1) hereof or by such earlier date as may be agreed upon by the
negotiating parties.
28. National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, P.L. 103-160, H.R. 2401
Sec. 1512. Involvement of Armed Forces in Somalia.
(a) Sense of Congress Regarding United States Policy Towards Somalia.—





(1) Since United States Armed Forces made significant contributions under Operation Restore
Hope towards the establishment of a secure environment for humanitarian relief operations and
restoration of peace in the region to end the humanitarian disaster that had claimed more than

300,000 lives.


(2) Since the mission of United States forces in support of the United Nations appears to be
evolving from the establishment of “a secure environment for humanitarian relief operations,” as
set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 794 of December 3, 1992, to one of
internal security and nation building.
(b) Statement of Congressional Policy.—
(1) Consultation with the Congress.—The President should consult closely with the Congress
regarding United States policy with respect to Somalia, including in particular the deployment of
United States Armed Forces in that country, whether under United Nations or United States
command.
(2) Planning.—The United States shall facilitate the assumption of the functions of United States
forces by the United Nations.
(3) Reporting Requirement.—
(A) The President shall ensure that the goals and objectives supporting deployment of United
States forces to Somalia and a description of the mission, command arrangements, size, functions,
location, and anticipated duration in Somalia of those forces are clearly articulated and provided
in a detailed report to the Congress by October 15, 1993.
(B) Such report shall include the status of planning to transfer the function contained in paragraph
(2).
(4) Congressional Approval.—Upon reporting under the requirements of paragraph (3) Congress
believes the President should by November 15, 1993, seek and receive congressional
authorization in order for the deployment of United States forces to Somalia to continue.
29. Hamilton Amendment, H.R. 16029
Sec. 13. Notwithstanding any provision of this or any other Act, the involvement of United States
land, sea, and air forces, for the purpose of maintaining, supporting, or engaging in hostilities in
or over Indochina shall terminate and such forces shall be withdrawn not later than October 1,
1972, subject to a cease-fire between the United States and North Vietnam and those allied with
North Vietnam to the extent necessary to achieve safe withdrawal of such remaining forces, and
subject to the release of all American prisoners of war held by the Government of North Vietnam
and forces allied with such Government and an accounting for all Americans missing in action
who have been held by or known to such Government or such forces. The accounting for the
American prisoners of war and missing in action referred to above shall be subject to verification
by the International Red Cross or by any other international body mutually agreed to by the
President of the United States and the Government of North Vietnam.





30. Gilman Amendment, H.Con.Res. 170
Sec. 1. Finding that the United States Armed Forces in Somalia are engaged in hostilities.
For purposes of sections 5(c) and 7 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c) and 1546),
the Congress finds that the United States Armed Forces in Somalia are engaged in hostilities
without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization.
Sec. 2. Removal of Armed Forces from Somalia.
Pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(c)), the Congress hereby
directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from Somalia by January 31,

1994.


Amy Belasco Hannah Fischer
Specialist in U.S. Defense Policy and Budget Information Research Specialist
abelasco@crs.loc.gov, 7-7627 hfischer@crs.loc.gov, 7-8989
Lynn J. Cunningham Larry A. Niksch
Information Research Specialist Specialist in Asian Affairs
lcunningham@crs.loc.gov, 7-8971 lniksch@crs.loc.gov, 7-7680