SJRES 191

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IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 30, 2026

Mr. Coons (for himself, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Booker, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Schiff, Ms. Duckworth, and 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 and its territories, possessions, citizens, servicemembers, 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, President Donald J. Trump declared the start of “major combat operations in Iran”, and by early March 2026, the United States had deployed more than 50,000 members of the United States Armed Forces to the region to support the war.

(5) Following the initiation of combat operations, Iran conducted retaliatory drone and ballistic missiles strikes against hundreds of targets, including United States embassies, consulates, and military bases, across Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. 13 American servicemembers have been killed.

(6) On March 2, 2026, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to all vessels, resulting in a precipitous drop in maritime traffic, widespread energy shortages, and worldwide economic disruption.

(7) On April 12, 2026, President Trump ordered a complete naval blockade of Iranian ports.

(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) 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.

(10) The 60-day period following the President’s notification to Congress on March 2, 2026, ends on May 1, 2026.

(11) 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”.

(12) 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”.

(13) 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 engaged 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 THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF 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 resolution 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 and international organizations as appropriate, related to 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 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. <all>