H. J. Res. 37, a Joint Resolution directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress
Cost Estimate
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on February 6, 2019
H. J. Res. 37 would direct the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or affecting Yemen, except for those engaged in operations against al-Qaeda or associated forces. It also would require the Administration to provide two reports to the Congress. One report would detail the risks to U.S. citizens and Saudi civilians and the danger of regional humanitarian crises if the United States stopped supporting the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen. The other report would assess the increase in the risk of terrorist attacks if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stopped sharing Yemen-related intelligence with the United States.
In a letter to Senator McConnell in February 2018, the Department of Defense (DoD) stated that U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen does not constitute hostilities. It further stated that U.S. armed forces are engaged in hostilities against terrorist organizations operating in Yemen, including al-Qaeda and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. To the extent U.S. armed forces are currently engaged in hostilities against terrorist organizations other than al-Qaeda or its associates, those operations would be precluded under the resolution. However, CBO expects that the number of DoD personnel and the amount of resources in the region would be unaffected.
CBO estimates that implementing the reporting requirements under H. J. Res. 37 would cost less than $500,000 over the 2019-2024 period; such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.
