# What This Bill Actually Does

This bill is about pulling American military personnel out of the war in Yemen. Since 2015, the U.S. has been supporting Saudi Arabia and several other countries in their military campaign against a group called the Houthis in Yemen. The bill's supporters argue that Congress never officially approved this involvement, and they want to end it within 30 days of the bill passing.

The specific American activities the bill targets include sharing intelligence with the Saudi-led coalition to help them plan bombing raids, providing maintenance and spare parts for their warplanes, and having U.S. military personnel work alongside coalition forces to coordinate their operations. According to the bill's sponsors, these actions count as participating in hostilities, even though American troops aren't directly pulling the trigger. The bill says that under the War Powers Resolution—a law from the 1970s designed to prevent presidents from waging war without Congress's approval—the President needs either a formal declaration of war or specific congressional permission to keep doing these things.

There's one important exception built into the bill: it doesn't apply to U.S. military operations against al Qaeda or related terrorist groups, which Congress did authorize years ago. The bill also clarifies that it's not giving the President permission to use military force—it's actually the opposite, telling him to stop. If Congress wanted to continue supporting the Saudi-led coalition, they would need to pass a new law specifically authorizing it.

The practical effect, if this bill became law, would be that American military advisors would leave Yemen, the U.S. would stop sharing real-time intelligence for bombing missions, and American maintenance crews would stop servicing Saudi warplanes used in the conflict. Supporters believe this would reduce American involvement in a conflict that has caused a humanitarian crisis in Yemen, while opponents worry it could weaken an important Middle Eastern ally.

Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.

DeFazio, Peter A.

 <p>This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against the Houthis in Yemen within 30 days of the enactment of this joint resolution unless Congress authorizes a later withdrawal date, issues a declaration of war, or specifically authorizes the use of the Armed Forces. Prohibited activities include sharing intelligence or providing logistical support to enable offensive strikes by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia. This joint resolution shall not affect any military operations&nbsp;directed at Al Qaeda or associated forces.</p>