S.J.Res. 172

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 172 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. J. RES. 172

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

April 13, 2026

Mr. Warnock 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) 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.
(3) The purpose of the War Powers Resolution, as stated in 
section 2(a) of such resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541(a)), is to 
``insure that the collective judgment of both the Congress and 
the President will apply to the introduction of United States 
Armed Forces into hostilities''.
(4) Section 3 of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1542) 
states, ``The President in every possible instance shall 
consult with Congress before introducing United States Armed 
Forces into hostilities or into situations where imminent 
involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the 
circumstances.''.
(5) On February 28, 2026, the United States launched 
Operation Epic Fury, introducing the United States Armed Forces 
into hostilities as part of a military campaign against the 
Government of Iran.
(6) As of April 8, 2026, 13 members of the United States 
Armed Forces have been killed and at least 380 have been 
wounded, and President Donald J. Trump has suggested there will 
likely be additional American lives lost.
(7) Following the initiation of combat operations on 
February 28, 2026, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) 
effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, 
resulting in a precipitous drop in maritime traffic and 
worldwide economic disruption.
(8) On March 24, 2026, the Department of Defense ordered 
additional United States military forces to the region in 
preparation of a further escalation of the military operations 
consistent with the President's statements acknowledging the 
possibility of using ground forces against Iran.
(9) A ceasefire between the United States and the 
Government of Iran took effect on April 8, 2026. Following an 
initial round of negotiations, the United States announced a 
blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to be implemented by the 
United States Armed Forces.
(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 THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN.

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.

SEC. 3. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this resolution 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 United States partners and allies such as the State 
of Israel, and international organizations as appropriate, 
related to threats from Iran or its proxies;
(3) assisting partner countries who have been attacked by 
Iran since February 28, 2026, and other nations--
(A) in taking defensive measures to protect their 
territory from retaliatory attacks by Iran or its 
proxies; or
(B) by providing defensive materiel support for 
such defensive measures; or
(4) providing assistance for the security, departure, and 
evacuation to United States citizens affected by the 
hostilities.
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