Rand Paul introduces MILITARY HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS ACT OF 2017

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To provide that the President must seek congressional approval before
engaging members of the United States Armed Forces in military
humanitarian operations.

The President may not deploy members of the United States Armed
Forces into the territory, airspace, or waters of a foreign country for
a military humanitarian operation not previously authorized by statute
unless--
(1) the President submits to Congress a formal request for
authorization to use members of the Armed Forces for the
military humanitarian operation; and
(2) Congress enacts a specific authorization for such use
of forces.

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(a) In General.--In this Act, the term ``military humanitarian
operation'' means a military operation involving the deployment of
members or weapons systems of the United States Armed Forces where
hostile activities are reasonably anticipated and with the aim of
preventing or responding to a humanitarian catastrophe, including its
regional consequences, or addressing a threat posed to international
peace and security. The term includes--
(1) operations undertaken pursuant to the principle of the
``responsibility to protect'' as referenced in United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1674 (2006);
(2) operations specifically authorized by the United
Nations Security Council, or other international organizations;
and
(3) unilateral deployments and deployments made in
coordination with international organizations, treaty-based
organizations, or coalitions formed to address specific
humanitarian catastrophes.

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(b) Operations Not Included.--The term ``military humanitarian
operation'' does not mean a military operation undertaken for the
following purposes:
(1) Responding to or repelling attacks, or preventing
imminent attacks, on the United States or any of its
territorial possessions, embassies, or consulates, or members
of the United States Armed Forces.
(2) Direct acts of reprisal for attacks on the United
States or any of its territorial possessions, embassies, or
consulates, or members of the United States Armed Forces.
(3) Invoking the inherent right to individual or collective
self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of
the United Nations.
(4) Military missions to protect or rescue United States
citizens or military or diplomatic personnel abroad.
(5) Carrying out treaty commitments to directly aid allies
in distress.
(6) Humanitarian missions in response to natural disasters
where no civil unrest or combat with hostile forces is
reasonably anticipated, and where such operation is for not
more than 30 days.
(7) Actions to maintain maritime freedom of navigation,
including actions aimed at combating piracy.
(8) Training exercises conducted by the United States Armed
Forces abroad where no combat with hostile forces is reasonably
anticipated.

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