SJRES 116 — Congress 119
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.
Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/116
Congress.gov subjects: International Affairs
Issues impacted: Defense & National Security (ai, high), Foreign Policy & Sanctions (ai, high)
Official bill text (stored)
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94 SJ 116 IS: 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. U.S. Senate 2026-03-05 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIA 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. J. RES. 116 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 5, 2026 Mr. Murphy (for himself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Schiff , and Mr. Kaine ) 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. 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 military into hostilities as part of an ongoing and wide-reaching military campaign against the Government of Iran. (5) The Trump administration has repeatedly referred to this operation as a war , including President Trump’s statement on February 28, 2026, that the United States has entered into a war with Iran that we did not want but that we are going to win very quickly, and Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s statement on March 4, 2026, that the terms of this war will be set by us at every step . (6) According to a statement by United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper on March 3, 2026, more than 50,000 members of the United States Armed Forces have participated in the unprecedented operation. (7) Six members of the United States Armed Forces have been killed as part of Operation Epic Fury, and President Trump has suggested there will likely be additional American lives lost, stating on March 2, 2026, We pray for the full recovery of the wounded and send our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And, sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That’s the way it is. Likely be more. . (8) The Trump administration has offered inconsistent timelines for United States military operations against Iran, including President Trump’s statement on March 1, 2026, that we intended four to five weeks, President Trump’s statement on March 2, 2026, that whatever the time is, it’s okay, whatever it takes, Secretary Hegseth’s statement that the duration could be four weeks, two weeks, six weeks, and President Trump’s message to Congress that it is not possible at this time to know the full scope and duration of military operations that may be necessary . (9) United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has requested additional officers to support operations for at least 100 days and likely through September. (10) 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) ). (11) 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 ). 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 defense from threats from Iran or its proxies; or (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.
Plain-English summary
Confidence: high · Complexity: moderate · Model: grok-4.5
Here’s the plain version: this joint resolution tells the President to pull U.S. forces out of fighting inside or against Iran unless Congress has clearly said yes—either by declaring war or by passing a specific law that green-lights the force.
The text says Congress has not done that. It points to a campaign it calls Operation Epic Fury, started in late February 2026, with more than 50,000 U.S. troops involved and American deaths already reported. Using older war-powers rules meant to fast-track these votes, the resolution would order the President to end U.S. participation in those hostilities.
It still leaves room for defense. The U.S. could protect itself, its people, and its facilities abroad. It could share intelligence. And it could help partners who got hit by Iran since that date shoot down or stop retaliatory attacks—and send defensive gear for that purpose.
Service members in the operation, their families, and anyone following U.S.–Iran policy would feel this first.
Related issues
How a vote maps to positions
Impartial mapping: which issue position a Yea vs Nay advances. When a bill has multiple floor votes, each roll can have its own mapping. Bill-level entries (no roll listed) apply as a default when a roll has no specific map. Used for legislator alignment.
All rolls (bill default)
| Issue | Yea advances | Nay advances | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Policy & Sanctions | Restraint and limited overseas commitments | Status quo / reject this change | Yea directs removal of U.S. forces from unauthorized hostilities with Iran; Nay keeps the ongoing campaign without that statutory pullback. |
| Defense & National Security | Reduce defense outlays or scope | Status quo / reject this change | Yea narrows the scope of active U.S. military operations against Iran absent new authorization; Nay rejects that limit and leaves current force employment in place. |