SJRES118Referred to Committee

A 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.

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Introduced
In Committee
3
Passed One Chamber
4
Passed Both
5
Signed into Law
Failed — Did not pass vote
119th
Congress
2026-03-05
Introduced
5
Cosponsors
SJRES
Type

Sponsor

Cory A. Booker
Cory A. Booker
Democrat · NJ · Senator
Votes with party: 63.6% (316 recorded votes)

Full profile: /officials/B001288

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

Latest Action

The most recent step in the bill's legislative path. Committee Activity below shows referrals and reports; the full action-by-action history including floor proceedings lives at Congress.gov →

Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 58.

2026-03-18

Source: Congress.gov

Committee Activity

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Plain-English Summary

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted. The resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending against an attack on the United States or its personnel or facilities in other nations.

Plain-English rewrite of the Congressional Research Service summary published on Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed.

Subjects

International Affairs

Full Bill Text

Verbatim text published on Congress.gov via GovInfo. Use Cmd+F / Ctrl+F to search within this excerpt.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S.J. Res. 118 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. J. RES. 118 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. Booker (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Schiff, and Mr. Murphy) 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 and its territories, 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 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.''. (5) 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.''. (6) During January and February 2026, the United States carried out the largest military buildup in the Middle East since the United States invaded Iraq in 2003. (7) On February 28, 2026, President Trump ordered the United States Armed Forces to conduct air strikes inside Iran's territory, declaring that the strikes would be ``massive and ongoing'' and describing the circumstances as ``war,'' without congressional authorization or consultation. (8) This 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
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United States or its personnel or facilities in other nations; (2) collecting, analyzing, or sharing intelligence, including with the State of Israel and partner countries who have been attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, and other nations and international organizations as appropriate, related to threats from Iran or its proxies; or (3) assisting the State of Israel and partner countries who have been attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, and other nations-- (A) in directly defending against retaliatory attacks upon their territories by Iran or its proxies; or (B) by providing defensive materiel support for such defensive measures. <all>