H.J.Res. 176

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 176 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. J. RES. 176

Authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against the 
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 7, 2026

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

_______________________________________________________________________

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

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Joint Resolution may be cited as the ``2026 Authorization for 
Use of Military Force Against Iran''.

SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) Authorization.--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--
(1) successfully demolish, degrade, or defeat the nuclear 
weapons program and associated delivery systems of the 
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran;
(2) address imminent threats to the Armed Forces or to 
United States facilities posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran 
or Iranian-backed forces;
(3) enforce a blockade of Iranian ports; and
(4) ensure safe passage for United States and allied 
vessels throughout the Strait of Hormuz, as well as any other 
vessels the President determines appropriate.
(b) Limitations on Use of Ground Troops.--The authority granted in 
subsection (a) does not include any authorization for the deployment of 
the Armed Forces for the purpose of--
(1) conducting sustained ground combat operations in the 
territory of Iran;
(2) occupying, seizing, or holding territory within Iran; 
or
(3) engaging in nation-building, stabilization operations, 
or the establishment of long-term security governance within 
Iran.
(c) Limited Exceptions.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to prohibit the use of the Armed Forces for--
(1) the rescue of United States citizens or members of the 
Armed Forces; or
(2) intelligence collection or sharing activities in 
support of the national security of the United States, or in 
support of an ally or partner force.
(d) War Powers Resolution Requirements.--
(1) Specific statutory authorization.--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.
(2) Applicability of other requirements.--Nothing in this 
joint resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers 
Resolution.

SEC. 3. REPORT TO CONGRESS.

(a) In General.--The President shall, at least once every 30 days, 
submit to Congress a report on matters relevant to this joint 
resolution, including--
(1) actions taken pursuant to the exercise of authority 
granted in section 2;
(2) a description of any military operations conducted in 
reliance on authorities other than the authority granted in 
section 2;
(3) an explanation of the legal authority for each action 
and operation described in paragraphs (1) and (2);
(4) policy justifications for each action and operation 
described in paragraphs (1) and (2);
(5) the expected scope and duration of hostilities 
associated with each such action and operation; and
(6) an assessment of civilian and military casualties.
(b) Form.--The report required by this section shall be submitted 
in unclassified form and may contain a classified annex.

SEC. 4. SUNSET.

(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
authority provided in section 2 shall terminate on July 30, 2026.
(b) Limited Wind-Down Period.--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.
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