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. 183
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-06T20:32:04Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution aims to enforce Congress's constitutional authority over war by directing the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized military hostilities within or against Iran. It responds to recent U.S. military actions, including "Operation Epic Fury," which the resolution claims lack congressional approval.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Lists 14 points, including:
- Congress's sole power to declare war (per U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 8).
- No congressional declaration of war or specific authorization for force against Iran.
- References to the War Powers Resolution (a 1973 law requiring presidential consultation with Congress before hostilities and limiting unauthorized engagements).
- Details on U.S. military buildup, strikes launched on February 28, 2026, casualties (13 killed, 350+ injured), and economic effects like rising oil and goods prices.
- Removal Directive (Section 2(a)): Orders the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless authorized by a declaration of war or specific Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF).
- Exceptions (Rule of Construction): Permits:
- Defending U.S. personnel or facilities abroad from attacks.
- Intelligence collection and sharing (e.g., with Israel and partners targeted by Iran).
- Defensive assistance to Israel and allies attacked by Iran, including materiel support.
- Invokes expedited congressional procedures under existing laws for quick consideration.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Does not amend laws but enforces the War Powers Resolution and related statutes (e.g., 50 U.S.C. 1546a) by issuing a binding directive for this specific conflict.
- Applies fast-track rules for debate and passage, bypassing standard delays.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Department of Defense must withdraw forces from offensive operations against Iran; Central Command operations scaled back.
- Citizens: Could reduce U.S. servicemember casualties and ease economic pressures from conflict-driven price surges in oil, gas, and goods.
- International Relations: Limits U.S. offensive actions against Iran, potentially de-escalating tensions but straining ties with allies like Israel; preserves defensive support for partners hit by Iran or its proxies.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress: Reasserts oversight on military actions.
- President and Executive Branch: Restricts unilateral use of force.
- U.S. Military Personnel: Over 50,000 involved; potential redeployment reduces risks.
- Iran and Proxies: Ends unauthorized U.S. hostilities.
- Israel and Regional Allies: Continued defensive aid maintained.
- U.S. Citizens and Economy: Affected by casualties and costs of prolonged conflict.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Reinforces separation of powers, emphasizing Congress's war declaration authority vs. President's defensive role.
- Legal: Relies on War Powers Resolution framework; could trigger court challenges over enforcement or presidential compliance.
- Political: Highlights partisan divides on military engagements; introduced by Sen. Booker (D-NJ) in a future 119th Congress scenario amid alleged unauthorized actions by President Trump. May set precedent for future congressional interventions in executive-led conflicts.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-13: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2026-04-13: 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 2026-04-13 — PDF (6 pages)