HJRES 176
2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran
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 House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This joint resolution authorizes the President to use the United States Armed Forces against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Specifically, it grants the President authority to demolish Iran’s nuclear weapons program, address threats to U.S. forces and facilities, enforce a blockade, and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The resolution includes limitations on ground combat operations within Iran and mandates regular reporting to Congress on military actions and their justifications. The authorization is set to expire on July 30, 2026, with a potential 30-day wind-down period.
Key provisions
- Authorizes the President to use U.S. Armed Forces against Iran’s nuclear program.
- Grants authority to address threats to U.S. forces and facilities.
- Authorizes enforcement of a blockade of Iranian ports.
- Permits ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Prohibits sustained ground combat operations or occupation of Iranian territory.
- Allows for rescue operations and intelligence activities.
- Requires the President to submit regular reports to Congress on military actions.
- Sets an expiration date for the authorization on July 30, 2026.
Who is affected
- Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran
- United States Armed Forces
- United States
- Allied forces
- U.S. citizens
Notable changes
- Provides specific statutory authorization for military action against Iran, addressing concerns under the War Powers Resolution.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
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
H. J. RES. 176
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JOINT RESOLUTION
Authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and an adversary of the United States;
Whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to pose a threat to the United States, its Armed Forces, and allies through its ballistic missile program, its sponsorship of terrorist proxy forces, and continued pursuit of a nuclear weapon;
Whereas should the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran obtain a nuclear weapon, it would not hesitate to use such weapon on the United States or its allies;
Whereas the Constitution vests Congress with the sole authority to declare war under article 1, section 8;
Whereas the President of the United States took military action on February 28, 2026, against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and later submitted a report to Congress on March 2, 2026, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93–148);
Whereas Congress has not declared war with respect to, or provided any specific statutory authorization for, hostilities involving United States Armed Forces against the Islamic Republic of Iran;
Whereas the sixty-calendar-day period specified in section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)) has expired; and
Whereas Congress recognizes that the members of the Armed Forces and all other Americans deserve to know the clear mission scope and objective for the use of any military force: Now, therefore, be it
This Joint Resolution may be cited as the 2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran
.
The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to—
address imminent threats to the Armed Forces or to United States facilities posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran or Iranian-backed forces;
enforce a blockade of Iranian ports; and
ensure safe passage for United States and allied vessels throughout the Strait of Hormuz, as well as any other vessels the President determines appropriate.
conducting sustained ground combat operations in the territory of Iran;
occupying, seizing, or holding territory within Iran; or
engaging in nation-building, stabilization operations, or the establishment of long-term security governance within Iran.
Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the use of the Armed Forces for—
the rescue of United States citizens or members of the Armed Forces; or
Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.
Nothing in this joint resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.
actions taken pursuant to the exercise of authority granted in section 2;
a description of any military operations conducted in reliance on authorities other than the authority granted in section 2;
policy justifications for each action and operation described in paragraphs (1) and (2);
the expected scope and duration of hostilities associated with each such action and operation; and
an assessment of civilian and military casualties.
The report required by this section shall be submitted in unclassified form and may contain a classified annex.
Except as provided in subsection (b), the authority provided in section 2 shall terminate on July 30, 2026.
For an additional period of not more than 30 days after the date described in subsection (a), the authority provided in section 2 may be exercised only as necessary to end the deployment or engagement of the Armed Forces.