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. 117
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-05: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-27T14:28:36Z
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 (armed conflicts) within or against Iran that lack explicit congressional approval, such as a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force (AUMF).
Key Provisions
- Findings (Section 1): The resolution outlines background facts to justify action, including:
- Congress's exclusive power under the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) to declare war.
- The President's duty to defend the U.S., its territories, citizens, and diplomats.
- No congressional declaration of war or specific AUMF against Iran or its entities.
- Public statements by President Trump and officials (e.g., Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State) in early 2026 referring to ongoing "war" activities, including potential ground troop involvement.
- U.S. military actions initiated on February 28, 2026, notified to Congress under the War Powers Resolution of 1973 (a law requiring presidential reports on troop deployments).
- Casualties (six U.S. servicemembers killed, 18 wounded as of March 5, 2026), embassy closures, and evacuation warnings across the Middle East due to escalating tensions.
- Classification of these actions as "hostilities" under the War Powers Resolution.
- Removal Directive (Section 2):
- Orders the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless authorized by Congress.
- Invokes expedited legislative procedures (fast-tracked debate and voting) from the Department of State Authorization Act (1984-1985) and the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act (1976) to ensure quick consideration.
- Rule of Construction (Section 2(b)): Clarifies that the resolution does not prohibit:
- Defensive actions against attacks on U.S. personnel or facilities abroad.
- Intelligence gathering, analysis, or sharing (e.g., with Israel or allies) to counter Iranian threats.
- Support for allies like Israel in defensive measures, including providing defensive equipment.
- Aid for evacuating or securing U.S. citizens affected by the conflict.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Reinforces the War Powers Resolution by mandating withdrawal from unauthorized hostilities, potentially limiting presidential flexibility in initiating or escalating military actions without congressional input.
- Utilizes rarely invoked expedited procedures to bypass standard legislative delays, which could set a precedent for faster congressional responses to executive military decisions.
- No direct amendments to laws, but it interprets and applies existing statutes (e.g., War Powers Resolution) more stringently to Iran-specific engagements, emphasizing that vague notifications do not substitute for explicit authorization.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and State Department may need to rapidly reposition forces, potentially straining resources and logistics in the Middle East; could lead to internal executive branch challenges if the President resists compliance.
- On Citizens: U.S. personnel and civilians in the region (e.g., diplomats, contractors) face heightened risks during any withdrawal, but the resolution supports evacuation efforts; broader de-escalation might reduce threats to Americans abroad.
- On International Relations: Could signal U.S. restraint toward Iran, easing tensions but risking perceptions of weakness among allies (e.g., Israel, Gulf states); might complicate alliances if defensive support is limited to non-offensive aid, potentially affecting regional stability and countering Iranian proxies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Congress: Gains reinforced oversight of military actions, with sponsors (e.g., Senators Schiff, Kaine, Murphy, Booker) representing bipartisan concerns over executive overreach.
- Executive Branch (President and Agencies): Directly bound by the withdrawal order, affecting decision-making by the President, Department of Defense, and State Department.
- U.S. Military and Personnel: Servicemembers engaged in operations face immediate redeployment, impacting readiness and morale amid reported casualties.
- U.S. Citizens Abroad: Benefits from mandated evacuation support but could experience disruptions in high-risk areas like the Middle East.
- Allies and Partners: Nations like Israel receive assurances of defensive aid, while others (e.g., Saudi Arabia) may seek clarity on U.S. commitment levels.
- Iran and Adversaries: The Islamic Republic of Iran could view this as a de-escalation opportunity, though it might embolden proxy groups if U.S. presence diminishes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Highlights the balance of powers between Congress (war declaration authority) and the President (commander-in-chief role), potentially testing separation of powers if vetoed or challenged in court; invokes the War Powers Resolution to curb "undeclared wars."
- Legal: References statutes like the War Powers Resolution to classify actions as unauthorized hostilities, which could lead to judicial review if enforcement disputes arise; the expedited procedures ensure congressional priority but do not override a potential presidential veto.
- Political: Introduced amid reported 2026 escalations, it reflects partisan and bipartisan debates on U.S. foreign policy, interventionism, and avoiding prolonged conflicts; passage could influence midterm elections or public opinion on military engagements, emphasizing accountability for executive statements implying war without approval.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 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 (6 pages)