A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 116
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-24: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 69.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-06T20:31:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution aims to assert Congress's constitutional authority over military engagements by directing the President to withdraw United States Armed Forces from any hostilities against Iran that lack explicit congressional approval, such as a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force (AUMF). It responds to the reported initiation of "Operation Epic Fury" on February 28, 2026, without such authorization.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Section 1): Congress outlines 11 factual statements, including:
- The U.S. Constitution grants Congress sole power to declare war (Article I, Section 8).
- No war has been declared against Iran, nor has Congress passed a specific AUMF for actions there.
- Details on the Trump administration's military campaign against Iran, involving over 50,000 U.S. troops, six fatalities, and inconsistent statements on duration (e.g., 4-5 weeks or indefinite).
- The operation qualifies as "hostilities" under the War Powers Resolution (a 1973 law requiring presidential reporting and potential congressional limits on undeclared military actions).
- References expedited legislative procedures for such resolutions under related laws.
- Removal Directive (Section 2(a)): Orders the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities in or against Iran unless Congress authorizes them via a war declaration or specific AUMF. Invokes fast-track procedures for debate and passage.
- Exceptions (Rule of Construction, Section 2(b)): Permits continued U.S. actions for:
- Defending against direct attacks on U.S. territory, personnel, or facilities abroad.
- Gathering, analyzing, or sharing intelligence on Iranian threats, including with allies attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026.
- Assisting partner nations attacked by Iran with defensive measures, such as intercepting attacks or providing defensive equipment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Reinforces the War Powers Resolution by mandating withdrawal from unauthorized hostilities, potentially overriding executive claims of inherent presidential authority for defensive actions.
- Utilizes expedited procedures from the 1976 International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act and the 1984 Department of State Authorization Act, which fast-track congressional votes on force removals without amendments or filibusters— a procedural tool not frequently invoked but designed to check executive overreach.
- Does not amend laws directly but enforces them, marking a potential shift toward stricter congressional oversight of military operations compared to past administrations' broader interpretations of executive war powers.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and Central Command (CENTCOM) would need to rapidly redeploy forces, potentially straining resources and logistics; the State Department could face challenges in diplomacy with allies.
- Citizens and Military Personnel: Reduces risk of further U.S. casualties in unauthorized actions (noting six deaths already reported) but could limit immediate responses to threats, affecting service members' safety and families.
- International Relations: May de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions by signaling congressional restraint, but could strain alliances with partners (e.g., Israel or Gulf states) attacked by Iran, as U.S. defensive support is preserved but offensive operations halt; signals to global adversaries about limits on unilateral U.S. military action.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress: Gains reinforced authority over war decisions, with sponsors (e.g., Senators Murphy, Booker, Schiff, Kaine) leading the effort.
- Executive Branch: President and administration (e.g., Trump, Secretary of Defense Hegseth) face direct constraints on military strategy.
- U.S. Military: Over 50,000 personnel involved in the operation, plus their families, directly impacted by potential withdrawal.
- Iran and Its Proxies: Government of Iran benefits from reduced U.S. offensive pressure but remains subject to defensive responses.
- U.S. Allies and Partners: Nations attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, retain U.S. intelligence and defensive aid but lose broader offensive support.
- American Public: Broader citizenry affected through taxpayer costs of military operations and national security implications.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Highlights separation of powers tensions, emphasizing Congress's war declaration role versus the President's duty to defend the nation; could prompt Supreme Court review if vetoed or enforced.
- Legal: Builds on the War Powers Resolution's framework, potentially setting precedent for future unauthorized conflicts (e.g., similar to resolutions on Iraq or Libya); expedited procedures ensure quick action but require presidential signature or veto override.
- Political: Represents bipartisan (though Democratic-led) pushback against executive unilateralism, especially in a hypothetical 2026 scenario under a second Trump term; may fuel debates on U.S. foreign policy, accountability for casualties, and avoiding "forever wars" without congressional buy-in.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Cosponsors (9)
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-24: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 69. (Roll call 69)
- 2026-03-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2026-03-05: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. — issued 2026-03-05 — PDF (5 pages)