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. 118
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-03-18: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 58.
Last Updated: 2026-05-06T20:30:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This joint resolution aims to enforce Congress's constitutional authority over military engagements by directing the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against Iran. It responds to recent (hypothetical 2026) U.S. air strikes inside Iran, emphasizing that such actions require explicit congressional approval, such as a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force (AUMF).

Key Provisions

Findings Section: Outlines Congress's sole power to declare war (per the U.S. Constitution), the President's duty to defend the U.S., the lack of any congressional authorization for actions against Iran, and references to the War Powers Resolution (a 1973 law requiring presidential consultation with Congress before introducing forces into hostilities). It also notes a major U.S. military buildup in the Middle East in early 2026 and unauthorized air strikes ordered by the President on February 28, 2026.
Removal Directive: Orders the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes them via a war declaration or specific AUMF. This invokes expedited congressional procedures under existing laws (e.g., the 1976 International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act) for quick consideration of such resolutions.
Exceptions (Rule of Construction): The resolution does not prohibit:
Defending U.S. personnel, facilities, or allies from direct attacks.
Intelligence collection, analysis, and sharing with partners like Israel or other nations targeted by Iran.
Providing defensive support to Israel and other affected countries, including materiel (e.g., equipment) for self-defense against Iranian or proxy attacks.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution does not create new laws but reinforces and applies existing frameworks, particularly the War Powers Resolution and related statutes. It introduces no permanent changes but mandates immediate action based on those laws, potentially setting a precedent for faster congressional intervention in unauthorized military actions. It specifies expedited procedures for similar future resolutions to bypass standard legislative delays.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: The Department of Defense and executive branch would need to comply with withdrawal orders, potentially limiting operational flexibility and requiring rapid reassessment of deployments in the Middle East. This could strain military resources if hostilities escalate without authorization.
On Citizens: U.S. service members and diplomats in the region might face reduced exposure to unauthorized conflicts, potentially enhancing safety, but could also affect national security if perceived as weakening deterrence against Iran.
On International Relations: Could de-escalate U.S.-Iran tensions by signaling congressional restraint, but might embolden Iran or its proxies if seen as U.S. retreat. It preserves support for allies like Israel, maintaining partnerships without broad offensive commitments, though it risks straining U.S. credibility with those partners if withdrawals occur amid ongoing threats.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Congress: Gains reinforced oversight of military actions, empowering lawmakers (especially sponsors like Sens. Booker, Kaine, Schiff, and Murphy) in foreign policy debates.
Executive Branch (President and Military): Faces direct constraints on unilateral actions, potentially leading to vetoes or legal challenges.
U.S. Armed Forces: Directly impacted by removal orders, affecting troop deployments and readiness.
Iran and Its Proxies: Could benefit from reduced U.S. offensive pressure but face continued defensive responses.
Allies (e.g., Israel and Regional Partners): Receive explicit protections for intelligence and defensive aid, but may worry about broader U.S. disengagement.
U.S. Citizens and Taxpayers: Indirectly affected through shifts in military spending and foreign policy risks.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Constitutional: Highlights the balance of powers under Article I (Congress's war declaration authority) versus Article II (President's commander-in-chief role), potentially testing separation of powers in court if challenged (e.g., via veto override or judicial review).
Legal: Invokes the War Powers Resolution, which has been debated but rarely enforced; success could strengthen its role in limiting "imminent hostilities" without authorization. The expedited procedures ensure faster debate, reducing presidential leeway.
Political: May spark partisan divides, with supporters viewing it as restoring congressional war powers and critics seeing it as undermining executive flexibility in crises. If passed, it could influence future administrations' approaches to conflicts (e.g., with Iran, Yemen, or Syria proxies), promoting more deliberate U.S. interventions.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

Cosponsors (5)

Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]

Recent Actions

2026-03-18: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 58. (Roll call 58)
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)