[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 180 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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119th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. J. RES. 180

 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. Van Hollen 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 Armed Forces 
        into hostilities against Iran.
            (5) 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''.
            (6) President Donald J. Trump has ordered additional United 
        States military forces to the region to prepare for potential 
        military operations consistent with the President's statements 
        about the possibility of using ground forces against Iran.
            (7) On April 7, 2026, President Trump threatened that ``a 
        whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back 
        again,'' which came after other statements during the war 
        threatening to destroy Iranian civilian infrastructure like 
        power plants.
            (8) As of April 8, 2026, 13 members of the United States 
        Armed Forces have been killed and 380 have been wounded during 
        the war with Iran, and President Trump has said there will 
        likely be additional American lives lost.
            (9) 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)).
            (10) 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 defending against 
        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 intercepting retaliatory attacks upon their 
                territory 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 of United States citizens affected by the 
        hostilities.
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