SJRES 181
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.
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Bill overview
This joint resolution calls for the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from any hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran unless Congress has formally declared war or specifically authorized the use of military force. The resolution highlights concerns about the ongoing military operation, Operation Epic Fury, and its impact on global stability, particularly the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It emphasizes that Congress’s sole power to declare war has not been exercised in this situation.
Key provisions
- Directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or against Iran absent a declaration of war or specific authorization.
- States that the resolution does not prevent the U.S. from defending against attacks on the U.S. or its personnel/facilities.
- Permits intelligence gathering and sharing with allies regarding threats from Iran.
- Authorizes assistance to allies who have been attacked by Iran, including defensive materiel support.
- References the War Powers Resolution and the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act.
- Notes that Operation Epic Fury initiated on February 28, 2026, and resulted in significant disruptions and casualties.
- Highlights the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and its impact on global energy supplies.
- Mentions the use of social media by the President to threaten Iran and outline military actions.
Who is affected
- United States Armed Forces
- Islamic Republic of Iran
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
S. J. RES. 181
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.
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, introducing the United States Armed Forces into hostilities as part of an ongoing and wide-reaching military campaign against the Government of Iran.
The Trump Administration has repeatedly referred to this operation as a war,
including President Donald J. Trump’s statement on February 28, 2026, that the United States has entered into a war with Iran that we did not want but that we are going to win very quickly,
and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s statement on March 4, 2026, that the terms of this war will be set by us at every step
.
Immediately following the initial attacks of Operation Epic Fury, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) transmitted warnings via VHF radio to all vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that the passage was currently unsafe.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)’s messaging resulted in a 70 percent drop in maritime traffic within 24 hours. By March 2, 2026, satellite traffic showed zero merchant ships appearing in the Strait of Hormuz. On March 27, 2026, the IRGC officially announced that the Strait was closed to any vessel going to and from
ports belonging to the United States, Israel, and United States allies.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is considered the largest disruption to the global energy supply in history. By March 8, 2026, oil prices exceeded $100 per barrel for the first time in nearly four years. The United Nations World Food Programme predicts that if the conflict continues, an additional 45,000,000 people worldwide could face food insecurity by the end of the year because roughly one third of the world’s internationally traded fertilizer is carried through the Strait.
President Trump set an April 7, 2026, 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and in order to force Iran’s compliance, President Trump threatened on social media that a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again
. He added that he didn’t want that to happen, but it probably will
. On April 7, 2026, President Trump agreed to a two-week ceasefire to permit peace negotiations but threatened total destruction
if his terms are not met. On April 8, 2026, President Trump posted on Truth Social, the Strait must open now. If it stays closed, the two-week deal is over and destruction begins again.
.
Later on April 8, 2026, President Trump threatened on social media again that if a final deal is not made, then the
. He added that the Shootin
Starts,’ bigger, and better, and stronger than anyone has ever seen beforeMilitary is Loading Up and Resting, looking forward, actually, to its next Conquest
. However, no request for a declaration of war or an authorization to use military force has been submitted to Congress.
Reports from the Pentagon on April 4, 2026, indicate that more than 50,000 members of the United States Armed Forces have participated in the unprecedented operation. In March, approximately 2,000 soldiers from the United States Army’s 82nd Airborne Division deployed to the region in support of Operation Epic Fury.
As of April 8, 2026, seven members of the United States Armed Forces have been killed in combat as part of Operation Epic Fury, and six more crewmembers of a KC–135 refueling aircraft died in a crash in western Iraq. Officially, the Pentagon reports 381 wounded members of the Armed Forces involved in Operation Epic Fury.
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 15 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 Israel and partner countries who have been attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, and other nations and international organizations as appropriate, related to threats from Iran or its proxies; or
assisting Israel and partner countries who have been attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, and other nations—
in directly defending against retaliatory attacks upon their territories by Iran or its proxies; or