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Congress·In Committee·S.J.Res. 118

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.

Senators Propose Resolution to Stop Unauthorized U.S. Military Strikes Against Iran

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This resolution, introduced by a group of Senators, directs the President to stop military attacks against Iran unless Congress officially authorizes them. It comes after air strikes were launched on February 28, 2026, which the bill's sponsors say happened without the necessary legal consultation or approval.
  • The proposal is based on the Constitution, which gives Congress the sole power to declare war. The lawmakers argue that the recent military actions are massive and ongoing, essentially putting the country into a war that has not been voted on by the people's representatives.
  • While the bill calls for an end to unauthorized fighting, it still allows the United States to defend itself, its citizens, and its bases from direct attacks. It also allows the military to keep sharing information and providing defensive equipment to allies like Israel if they are attacked by Iran.
  • This action is important because it tries to limit the President's ability to start a long-term conflict without a public debate in Congress. It aims to ensure that the decision to enter a war involves both the executive branch and the legislative branch as required by law.
National Security Foreign Policy

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

This resolution would directly affect active-duty service members currently deployed in or near Iran by ordering their removal from hostilities. If passed, troops involved in ongoing air strikes and military operations against Iran would be pulled back unless Congress votes to authorize the conflict. However, passage is uncertain, so the near-term impact on deployed forces remains unclear.

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ImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions
Mar 18, 2026Senate

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

Mar 5, 2026Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.

Mar 5, 2026

Introduced in Senate

The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.

Vote Results

1 vote
SenateFailedProceduralMar 18, 2026

On the Motion to Discharge

47
53
Democrat
441
Republican
152
Independent
20
View full roll call

News

news_articleunknown

Democrats poised to escalate pressure on GOP with repeated votes on Iran war powers

news_articleunknown

House rejects effort to withdraw U.S. forces from Iran war as GOP lawmakers stick with Trump

Washington Postunknown

War powers vote will test Senate's support for Trump's war with Iran

POLITICOunknown

GOP backs Trump's war powers as Iran conflict drags on

Reutersunknown

US Democrats will try, and try again, to rein in Trump's Iran war powers

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

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.

Bill NumberSJRES 118
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionMotion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 58.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(5)
D: 5

Political Response

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.