All Roll Calls
Yes: 49 • No: 50
119-sjres-163119th Congress
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.
Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
In Committee
Summary
Congressional control over war powers. This joint resolution would require the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress issues a declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force.
Show full summary
- Congress: Reasserts Article I power by conditioning U.S. hostilities with Iran on an explicit declaration of war or a separate authorization for use of military force.
- The President and Pentagon: Limits the executive branch's ability to keep forces engaged in hostilities against Iran without congressional approval, while preserving the ability to defend the United States or U.S. personnel from attack.
- Service members and families: Forces engaged in hostilities with Iran would be withdrawn unless Congress authorizes continued action, which could shorten or end current combat deployments.
- Partner countries and intelligence sharing: Permits collecting and sharing intelligence and assisting partner nations attacked by Iran since Feb 28, 2026, including intercepting retaliatory attacks and providing defensive materiel support.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Limit U.S. military action against Iran
This bill would direct the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress approves use of force by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force. The removal would be carried out under War Powers procedures in existing law (50 U.S.C. 1546a and section 601(b) of Public Law 94-329). The bill would still allow defending the United States or U.S. personnel and facilities from attacks abroad. It would allow collecting and sharing intelligence about threats from Iran or its proxies, including with partner countries attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, and it would allow assisting those partners to intercept retaliatory attacks and provide defensive materiel support.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/16/2026
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
IL • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
CT • D
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
AZ • D
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/12/2026
Roll Call Votes
senate vote • 5/13/2026
On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 163
Yes: 49 • No: 50