# 119-sjres-161: 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.

119-sjres-161, 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., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] (D-AZ); status introduced (as of 2026-09-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sjres-161
- As of: 2026-09-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sjres-161
- Congress: 119
- 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.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-04-13
- Sponsor: Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ] (D-AZ)
- Cosponsors: 6
- Policy area: International Affairs
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-19

## Summary

**Ends offensive U.S. hostilities against Iran without a new congressional authorization.** This joint resolution would require removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran unless Congress declares war or passes a specific authorization for use of military force, while still allowing limited defensive actions, intelligence activity, and assistance to partners attacked since Feb 28, 2026. - U.S. service members and commanders would have to stop offensive operations directed at Iran unless Congress gives explicit authorization. This shifts the legal basis for such operations from presidential discretion to congressional approval. - U.S. partners and regional allies could still receive defensive support, intelligence sharing, interception of retaliatory attacks, and defensive materiel when they have been attacked since Feb 28, 2026. These activities are preserved as exceptions to the removal directive. - Congress and the presidency would see a clearer division of authority, with Congress required to authorize any future offensive use of force against Iran by statute or a declaration of war.

## Cosponsors (6)

- Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI] (D-WI), 2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD), 2026-04-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] (D-CT), 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] (D-NY), 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-MA), 2026-06-24T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Limits U.S. military actions against Iran: benefit, high. This bill would direct the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran unless Congress declares war or passes a specific authorization for use of military force against Iran. It would still allow defending the United States or U.S. personnel…

## Related bills

- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026
- 119-s-1503: Equality Act
- 119-s-2295: Child Care for Working Families Act
- 119-s-852: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025
- 119-s-2150: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-sjres-161 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-joint-resolution/161)

## Related
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [119-s-1503: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1503)
- [119-s-2295: Child Care for Working Families Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2295)
- [119-s-852: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-852)
- [119-s-2150: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2150)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sjres-161 (as of 2026-09-19).