Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Stabilization of Iraq

This notice continues for one year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13303 regarding Iraq's stabilization, originally declared on May 22, 2003. The continuation extends the emergency authorities beyond May 22, 2015, citing ongoing threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy from obstacles to Iraq's reconstruction, peace, and institutional development.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 29527

Impact dates

May 22, 2016
Continued national emergency expires unless further extended

Key directives

Continue national emergency with respect to stabilization of Iraq for 1 year beyond May 22, 2015
Publish notice in Federal Register
Transmit notice to Congress

Timeline

Immediate

Continuation of national emergency takes effect upon signing (May 19, 2015)
Existing sanctions and blocking authorities under EO 13303 and subsequent orders remain in force

Near term (90d)

Federal Register publication and congressional transmission (routine procedural compliance)

Long term

Emergency authorities remain in effect through May 22, 2016
Potential for further annual continuations if conditions persist

Risks & tensions

Perpetual emergency footing since 2003 raises constitutional questions about indefinite emergency declarations
Scope creep: original EO 13303 modified and expanded by five subsequent executive orders, suggesting mission expansion beyond original stabilization mandate
Text vague on whether conditions have materially improved since 2003 or if continuation is precautionary