SJRES 115
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.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This joint resolution calls on the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from any ongoing hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran unless Congress has formally declared war or specifically authorized the use of military force. It acknowledges Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war and emphasizes that the President’s actions must align with this power. The resolution allows for exceptions regarding defending the U.S. and its allies, collecting intelligence, and providing defensive support, but explicitly prohibits authorizing the use of military force.
Key provisions
- Directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Iran absent congressional authorization.
- Recognizes Congress’s sole power to declare war.
- Permits the U.S. to defend against attacks on the U.S. or its personnel/facilities.
- Allows for intelligence gathering and sharing with allies regarding Iranian threats.
- Authorizes assistance to partner countries in intercepting retaliatory attacks.
- Authorizes defensive materiel support to partner countries.
- Explicitly prohibits the authorization of military force.
Who is affected
- United States Armed Forces
- The President
- Congress
- The Islamic Republic of Iran
- U.S. Allies and Partner Countries
Notable changes
- References Operation Epic Fury and the 2026 deployment as a basis for the resolution.
- Cites the War Powers Resolution and the Department of State Authorization Act to establish the legal basis for the directive.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
S. J. RES. 115
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
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.
Congress makes the following findings:
Congress has the sole power to declare war under article I, section 8, clause 11 of the United States Constitution.
The President has a constitutional responsibility to take actions to defend the United States, its territories, its possessions, citizens, service members, and diplomats from attack.
Congress has not declared war upon Iran or any person or organization within Iran, nor enacted a specific statutory authorization for the use of military force within or against Iran.
On February 28, 2026, the Trump administration launched Operation Epic Fury, deploying the United States military as part of an ongoing and wide-reaching military campaign against the Government of Iran.
The use of military force within or against Iran constitutes the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities within the meaning of section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1543(a)).
Section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a) provides that any joint resolution or bill requiring the removal of United States Armed Forces from imminent engagement in hostilities without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization shall be considered in accordance with the expedited procedures under section 601(b) of the International Security and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–329).
Pursuant to section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a), and in accordance with section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–329), Congress hereby directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.
Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent the United States from—
defending against an attack on the United States or its personnel or facilities in other nations;
collecting, analyzing, or sharing intelligence, including with partner countries who have been attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, and other nations and international organizations as appropriate, related to defense from threats from Iran or its proxies; or
assisting partner countries who have been attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, and other nations—
in intercepting retaliatory attacks upon their territory by Iran or its proxies; or
by providing defensive materiel support for such defensive measures.
Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1547(a)(1)), nothing in this joint resolution may be construed as authorizing the use of military force.