hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Directs U.S. forces out of Iran hostilities unless Congress approves.
Senators Schiff, Kaine, Murphy, Booker, Kim, Merkley, and Baldwin.
Introduced in Senate, referred to Committee on Foreign Relations.
This joint resolution aims to require the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from any ongoing hostilities in or against Iran that Congress has not explicitly authorized. The bill was introduced by a group of Senators in April 2026 and is currently awaiting review by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. This committee would examine the bill's foreign policy and military implications before it could advance further.
Introduced Apr 16, 2026
The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 16, 2026, and has been sent to the Committee on Foreign Relations for consideration. For this resolution to become law, the committee must approve it, followed by a successful vote in the full Senate. If passed by the Senate, it would then proceed to the House of Representatives for approval, and finally to the President to be signed into law or vetoed.
If this resolution becomes law, any U.S. military involvement in hostilities with Iran that commenced around February 28, 2026, and lacks specific congressional authorization, would have to cease. This means U.S. troops would be withdrawn from those particular operations. The bill would reinforce that new U.S. military actions in Iran require a formal declaration of war or specific approval from Congress. However, the bill explicitly states it would not prevent the U.S. from defending itself or its allies, sharing intelligence, providing defensive support to Israel, or evacuating U.S. citizens.
Supporters Say
Supporters argue it upholds the Constitution by returning war-making authority to Congress, as intended by the War Powers Resolution.
Critics Say
Critics might contend it limits the President's ability to swiftly defend the nation and its interests in urgent situations, citing the President's constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief.
Those in favor of the bill would emphasize Congress's exclusive power to declare war, as outlined in the Constitution, and highlight the War Powers Resolution's requirements for congressional consent in military engagements. They would point to the President's notification of military force on March 2, 2026, and the upcoming 60-day deadline (May 1, 2026) as justification for congressional action. While not explicitly detailed as critics in the bill, opponents typically advocate for presidential flexibility in national security, especially when rapid responses to threats are necessary, though this bill does include specific exceptions for defense and aid to allies.