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.

Legislative Summary: S.J. Res. 183

Overview

S.J. Res. 183 is a joint resolution introduced in the 119th Congress to mandate the removal of United States Armed Forces from military hostilities within or against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The resolution asserts that the current military operations—specifically "Operation Epic Fury"—were initiated without a formal declaration of war or specific statutory authorization from Congress, thereby violating the constitutional prerogative of Congress to declare war.

Purpose and Intent

The primary intent of this resolution is to exercise congressional oversight over military engagements and to end unauthorized hostilities in Iran. The bill's findings highlight several concerns driving this action:
* Constitutional Authority: It emphasizes that under Article I of the Constitution, only Congress has the power to declare war.
* Human Cost: It cites the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and the injury of over 350 others as a result of retaliatory strikes.
* Economic Impact: It links the ongoing conflict to a surge in the global cost of oil, gas, fertilizer, and basic consumer goods.
* Scale of Engagement: It notes a massive buildup of forces in the Middle East, including over 50,000 personnel participating in Operation Epic Fury as of early March 2026.

Key Provisions

The resolution contains one primary directive and several critical exceptions:

1. Mandated Withdrawal

The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless the President obtains a formal declaration of war or a specific Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) from Congress.

2. Permitted Activities (Rule of Construction)

To ensure national security is not compromised, the bill explicitly states that it does not prevent the United States from:
* Self-Defense: Defending the U.S., its personnel, or its facilities in other nations against attacks.
* Intelligence: Collecting and sharing intelligence regarding threats from Iran or its proxies with allies (specifically naming Israel) and international organizations.
* Defensive Support: Providing direct defense or defensive material support to Israel and other partner countries facing retaliatory attacks from Iran or its proxies.

Affected Parties

• The Executive Branch: The President would be legally required to cease offensive operations in Iran unless congressional approval is granted.
• U.S. Armed Forces: Specifically those deployed under "Operation Epic Fury," including the 82nd Airborne Division and Marine units.
• International Allies: Israel and other regional partners would continue to receive intelligence and defensive support.

Procedural Status

• Introduced: April 13, 2026.
• Current Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
• Legal Mechanism: The bill invokes expedited procedures under the International Security and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 and the Department of State Authorization Act to accelerate the removal of forces from imminent engagement in hostilities.