2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran

Tom Barrett

Republican · MI · Representative

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Don Bacon (R-NE-2)· 2026-05-11

Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

2026-05-07

Source: Congress.gov

This proposal would give the President legal authority to use military force against Iran if he determines it necessary, without requiring a separate declaration of war from Congress. The authorization would apply to military operations related to Iran's government, military, or designated terrorist organizations. This type of measure allows the executive branch to conduct military actions while still involving Congress in the decision, though it gives the President significant flexibility in how and when to use that authority.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [H.J. Res. 176 Introduced in House (IH)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. J. RES. 176 Authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 7, 2026 Mr. Barrett submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs _______________________________________________________________________ JOINT RESOLUTION Authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism and an adversary of the United States; Whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to pose a threat to the United States, its Armed Forces, and allies through its ballistic missile program, its sponsorship of terrorist proxy forces, and continued pursuit of a nuclear weapon; Whereas should the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran obtain a nuclear weapon, it would not hesitate to use such weapon on the United States or its allies; Whereas the Constitution vests Congress with the sole authority to declare war under article 1, section 8; Whereas the President of the United States took military action on February 28, 2026, against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and later submitted a report to Congress on March 2, 2026, pursuant to the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148); Whereas Congress has not declared war with respect to, or provided any specific statutory authorization for, hostilities involving United States Armed Forces against the Islamic Republic of Iran; Whereas the sixty-calendar-day period specified in section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)) has expired; and Whereas Congress recognizes that the members of the Armed Forces and all other Americans deserve to know the clear mission scope and objective for the use of any military force: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Joint Resolution may be cited as the ``2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran''. SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES. (a) Authorization.--The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to-- (1) successfully demolish, degrade, or defeat the nuclear weapons program and associated delivery systems of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran; (2) address imminent threats to the Armed Forces or to United States facilities posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran or Iranian-backed forces; (3) enforce a blockade of Iranian ports; and (4) ensure safe passage for United States and allied vessels throughout the Strait of Hormuz, as well as any other vessels the President determines appropriate. (b) Limitations on Use of Ground Troops.--The authority granted in subsection (a) does not include any authorization for the deployment of the Armed Forces for the purpose of-- (1) conducting sustained ground combat operations in the territory of Iran; (2) occupying, seizing, or holding territory within Iran; or (3) engaging in nation-building, stabilization operations, or the establishment of long-term security governance within Iran. (c) Limited Exceptions.--Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit the use of the Armed Forces for-- (1) the rescue of United States citizens or members of the Armed Forces; or (2) intelligence collection or sharing activities in support of the national security of the United States, or in support of an ally or partner force. (d) War Powers Resolution Requirements.-- (1) Specific statutory authorization.--Consistent…

with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution. (2) Applicability of other requirements.--Nothing in this joint resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution. SEC. 3. REPORT TO CONGRESS. (a) In General.--The President shall, at least once every 30 days, submit to Congress a report on matters relevant to this joint resolution, including-- (1) actions taken pursuant to the exercise of authority granted in section 2; (2) a description of any military operations conducted in reliance on authorities other than the authority granted in section 2; (3) an explanation of the legal authority for each action and operation described in paragraphs (1) and (2); (4) policy justifications for each action and operation described in paragraphs (1) and (2); (5) the expected scope and duration of hostilities associated with each such action and operation; and (6) an assessment of civilian and military casualties. (b) Form.--The report required by this section shall be submitted in unclassified form and may contain a classified annex. SEC. 4. SUNSET. (a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the authority provided in section 2 shall terminate on July 30, 2026. (b) Limited Wind-Down Period.--For an additional period of not more than 30 days after the date described in subsection (a), the authority provided in section 2 may be exercised only as necessary to end the deployment or engagement of the Armed Forces. <all>

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