Sponsors (11)
The bill strengthens Congressional control and limits U.S. offensive operations—especially versus Iran—while preserving defensive and support authorities, trading faster executive flexibility for greater legislative oversight at the cost of possible operational disruption, slower crisis responses, and added expenses.
All Americans benefit from clearer congressional control over declarations of war and use of U.S. forces because the bill restates that Congress must authorize hostilities and triggers War Powers timelines when forces are introduced into hostilities.
Service members and the public gain statutory deployment deadlines (forces must end operations after 60 days with a single 30-day extension unless Congress authorizes continued action), which limits open-ended military engagements.
Congress can use expedited procedures to consider removal/resolution measures, potentially speeding legislative response to end U.S. involvement in hostilities.
If Congress does not act, the statutory time limits can produce abrupt operational cutoffs that disrupt ongoing missions and may endanger service members or weaken mission continuity.
The legislation constrains the President’s ability to conduct rapid offensive military responses to evolving threats, potentially delaying action during fast-moving crises.
Requiring increased and expedited Congressional involvement during crises raises the risk of political conflict, decision delays, and legal uncertainty that can complicate command decisions and planning.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires removal of U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran unless Congress enacts a declaration of war or a specific statutory authorization, while preserving limited defensive, intelligence, and evacuation authorities.
Introduced April 16, 2026 by Adam Schiff · Last progress April 16, 2026
Directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress enacts a declaration of war or a specific statutory authorization for the use of force. It finds that the President notified Congress that U.S. forces began operations in late February 2026 and that the War Powers Resolution countdown for removing forces is expiring, and it preserves narrowly defined authorities for defensive actions, intelligence sharing (including with Israel and partners), defensive assistance to allies, and protection or evacuation of U.S. citizens.