Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act of 2009

S.416
Introduced: 
February 11, 2009
111
First
February 11, 2009
Referred to Senate (sub)committee

26 cosponsors.

Would prohibit funds being expended by any Federal department or agency for the use of cluster munitions unless they have a 99% or higher functioning rate and are used against clearly defined military targets and not against areas where civilians are present or that are “normally inhabited by civilians.” The President would have authority to waive these requirements by certifying that the use of cluster munitions is a vital U.S. security requirement and submitting a report to Congress within 30 days describing the steps taken to protect civilians, the failure rate of the munitions and whether or not unexploded munitions can render themselves harmless to civilians. Would require the President to submit a plan for the cleanup of any unexploded munitions within 90 days of their use. Congressional action on cluster munitions began after the war between Hizballah and Israel in 2006 during which the Israeli army and airforce fired cluster munitions containing 4 m. submunitions into southern Lebanon.

See also: companion measure H.R. 981 on 2/11/09; and related measures H.R. 1105 of 2/23/09, H.R. 2346 of 5/12/09, H.R. 3081 of 6/26/09, S. 1434 of 7/9/09, and H.R. 3288 of 7/22/09.

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