[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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