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.

Summary of SJRES 163 (119th Congress)

Purpose

SJRES 163 is a joint resolution directing the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress. The measure asserts Congressional authority over war-declaration and military-authorization decisions and seeks to halt U.S. military involvement in Iran unless there is a declared war or explicit statutory authorization for use of military force.

Key provisions

• Section 1 – Findings

  • Affirms that Congress has the sole power to declare war (Constitution: Article I, Section 8, Clause 11).
  • Acknowledges the President’s constitutional role to defend the United States and its personnel from attack.
  • States that Congress has not declared war on Iran or enacted specific statutory authorization for military force in Iran.
  • Reaffirms that using force in Iran would amount to introducing U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities (per the War Powers Resolution).
  • References the Department of State Authorization Act of 1984–85 as providing expedited procedures for joint resolutions directing removal from imminent hostilities without a war declaration or AUMF.

• Section 2 – Removal of U.S. Armed Forces from Iran

  • (a) Removal: Directs the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless there is a Congressional declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.
  • (b) Rule of Construction: Specifies circumstances under which the bill does not prevent U.S. actions, including:
  • Defending against an attack on the U.S., its personnel, or facilities abroad.
  • Collecting, analyzing, or sharing intelligence related to defense from threats from Iran or its proxies (including with partner nations).
  • Assisting partner countries that have been attacked by Iran since February 28, 2026, by:
    • Intercepting retaliatory attacks on their territory.
    • Providing defensive materiel support for those defenses.

Who/what is affected

• U.S. Armed Forces currently engaged in hostilities with or against Iran without a formal declaration of war or AUMF would be directed to withdraw.
• Executive branch (President and relevant defense/foreign policy agencies) would be obligated to remove forces absent new Congressional authorization.
• U.S. partners and allied defense activities: the bill contemplates ongoing intelligence sharing and defensive support in coordination with partners, provided such actions do not constitute ongoing U.S. hostilities in Iran absent authorization.

Procedural/timeline aspects

• Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Merkley (sponsor) on April 13, 2026.
• The bill has been read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
• The text invokes expedited procedures under the cited 1984–85 statute for removal from imminent hostilities without a declaration of war or AUMF, though it is not explicit about the exact procedural timeline beyond those references.

Notes

• The resolution emphasizes constitutional checks and balances on war powers.
• It allows for defensive and intelligence-sharing activities, clarifying that not all U.S. actions would be halted, but direct hostilities in Iran without authorization would be terminated.