S.J.Res. 116

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 116 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. J. RES. 116

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.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 5, 2026

Mr. Murphy (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Schiff, and Mr. Kaine) 
introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

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.

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

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Congress has the sole power to declare war under 
article I, section 8, clause 11 of the United States 
Constitution.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
(4) On February 28, 2026, the Trump administration launched 
Operation Epic Fury, introducing the United States military 
into hostilities as part of an ongoing and wide-reaching 
military campaign against the Government of Iran.
(5) The Trump administration has repeatedly referred to 
this operation as a ``war'', including President 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 
Hegseth's statement on March 4, 2026, that ``the terms of this 
war will be set by us at every step''.
(6) According to a statement by United States Central 
Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper on March 3, 
2026, more than 50,000 members of the United States Armed 
Forces have participated in the unprecedented operation.
(7) Six members of the United States Armed Forces have been 
killed as part of Operation Epic Fury, and President Trump has 
suggested there will likely be additional American lives lost, 
stating on March 2, 2026, ``We pray for the full recovery of 
the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to 
the families of the fallen. And, sadly, there will likely be 
more before it ends. That's the way it is. Likely be more.''.
(8) The Trump administration has offered inconsistent 
timelines for United States military operations against Iran, 
including President Trump's statement on March 1, 2026, that 
``we intended four to five weeks,'' President Trump's statement 
on March 2, 2026, that ``whatever the time is, it's okay, 
whatever it takes,'' Secretary Hegseth's statement that the 
duration could be ``four weeks, two weeks, six weeks,'' and 
President Trump's message to Congress that ``it is not possible 
at this time to know the full scope and duration of military 
operations that may be necessary''.
(9) United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has requested 
additional officers to support operations for at least 100 days 
and likely through September.
(10) 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)).
(11) 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).

SEC. 2. REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITHIN 
OR AGAINST IRAN.

(a) Removal.--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.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed 
to prevent the United States from--
(1) defending against an attack on the United States or its 
personnel or facilities in other nations;
(2) 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
(3) assisting partner countries who have been attacked by 
Iran since February 28, 2026, and other nations--
(A) in intercepting retaliatory attacks upon their 
territory by Iran or its proxies; or
(B) by providing defensive materiel support for 
such defensive measures.
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