S.J.Res. 184

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 184 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. J. RES. 184

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 16 (legislative day, April 14), 2026

Mr. Schiff (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Booker, Mr. Kim, 
Mr. Merkley, and Ms. Baldwin) 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) The President notified Congress on March 2, 2026, 
pursuant to the War Powers Resolution of 1973, of the 
initiation of military force against Iran on February 28, 2026. 
The notification stated that ``it is not possible at this time 
to know the full scope and duration of military operations that 
may be necessary. As such, United States forces remain postured 
to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to 
address further threats and attacks upon the United States or 
its allies and partners, and ensure the Government of the 
Islamic Republic of Iran ceases being a threat to the United 
States, its allies, and the international community.''.
(5) Pursuant to the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541 
et seq.), the President must terminate any use of United States 
Armed Forces within 60 days of providing initial notification 
to Congress, unless Congress has ``declared war or has enacted 
a specific authorization for such use of United States Armed 
Forces,'' has ``extended by law such 60-day period,'' or ``is 
physically unable to meet as a result of an armed attack upon 
the United States,'' none of which has occurred with respect to 
the current hostilities in and against Iran.
(6) Under the War Powers Resolution, the President may 
extend the presence of the Armed Forces for ``not more than an 
additional 30 days if the President determines and certifies to 
the Congress in writing that unavoidable military necessity 
respecting the safety of United States Armed Forces requires 
the continued use of such armed forces in the course of 
bringing about a prompt removal of such forces''.
(7) The 60-day period following the President's 
notification to Congress on March 2, 2026, ends on May 1, 2026.
(8) 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)).
(9) 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 the State of Israel and United States partners 
and allies, and international organizations as appropriate, 
related to defending against threats from Iran or its proxies;
(3) assisting Israel 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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