H.J.Res. 156

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 156 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. J. RES. 156

Directing the President, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution, to 
comply with the 60-day use of force and 30-day phased withdrawal 
requirements regarding the use of the United States Armed Forces in 
Operation Epic Fury in Iran.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 16, 2026

Mr. Fitzpatrick submitted the following joint resolution; which was 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

JOINT RESOLUTION

Directing the President, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution, to 
comply with the 60-day use of force and 30-day phased withdrawal 
requirements regarding the use of the United States Armed Forces in 
Operation Epic Fury in Iran.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The Islamic Republic of Iran is the world's largest 
state sponsor of terrorism and provides financial and material 
support to foreign terrorist organizations, including Hamas, 
Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
(2) The Islamic Republic of Iran poses a direct threat to 
the United States and is responsible for the deaths of hundreds 
of Americans.
(3) The Islamic Republic of Iran has suppressed their own 
people, implementing total internet blackouts, extrajudicial 
killings, forced disappearances, torture, sexual and gender-
based violence, detention and imprisonment, criminalization of 
libel, and restrictions on religious freedom.
(4) The Islamic Republic of Iran has continued to amass a 
stockpile of enriched uranium and have blocked access to their 
nuclear sites, according to the Director General of the 
International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi.
(5) On February 28, 2026, United States Central Command, 
joint with Israel, commenced Operation Epic Fury at the 
direction of the President of the United States, and included 
the launching of airstrikes on Iran, targeting military and 
governments sites, and the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali 
Khamenei, as well as other Iranian Officials.
(6) Operation Epic Fury has since led to retaliatory 
attacks by Iran and their proxies against Israel, and the 
closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
(7) Since the start of Operation Epic Fury, 13 United 
States service members have been killed, and 381 have been 
wounded, according to United States Central Command.
(8) Under article I, section 8 of the Constitution, 
Congress holds the sole power to declare war, and the 1973 War 
Powers Resolution limits the President's ability to initiate 
military action without authorization, requiring troop 
withdrawal within 60 days unless Congress authorizes continued 
engagement.

SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF THE USE OF MILITARY FORCE.

(a) Termination Required.--Consistent with requirements of section 
5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)), not later than 
60 days (subject to subsection (b)) after the commencement of Operation 
Epic Fury, the President shall terminate the use of military forces 
regarding this operation in Iran and shall withdraw the Armed Forces 
from Iran in accordance with section 2 not later than 30 days 
thereafter.
(b) Tolling of Time Period.--Any day that is on or after the 
commencement of Operation Epic Fury during which the United States 
engages in cease-fire negotiations with the Government of Iran or has 
entered into a negotiated cease-fire shall not count as one of the 60 
days described in subsection (a).

SEC. 3. PHASED WITHDRAWAL.

Pursuant to section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 
1544(b)) and unless otherwise explicitly authorized by a declaration of 
war or a specific congressional authorization for use of military force 
against Iran, Congress directs the President to begin the phased 
removal of the Armed Forces from Iran, other than those elements of the 
Armed Forces that may be necessary to defend the United States or an 
ally or partner of the United States from imminent attack, or prevent 
the procurement of a nuclear weapon, to the extent that the President 
complies fully with the requirements of section 5(b) of the War Powers 
Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)) with respect to any such use of the 
Armed Forces.

SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING INTELLIGENCE SHARING.

Nothing in this joint resolution may be construed to influence or 
disrupt any intelligence, counterintelligence, or investigative 
activities relating to threats in or emanating from Iran conducted by, 
or in conjunction with, the United States Government involving--
(1) the collection of intelligence;
(2) the analysis of intelligence; or
(3) the sharing of intelligence between the United States 
and any coalition partner if the President determines such 
sharing is appropriate and in the national security interests 
of the United States.
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