Sponsors (7)
The measure shifts control over continued U.S. hostilities with Iran toward Congress—reducing the risk of open-ended deployments and preserving legislative oversight—but at the cost of constraining executive flexibility, creating operational ambiguities for commanders, and risking gaps in deterrence or increased fiscal/legal complexity if Congress does not act promptly.
Servicemembers (and veterans) would be withdrawn from hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorizes continued force, reducing the risk of open-ended U.S. combat deployments and direct exposure to combat.
Congress (and federal actors) are reinforced in their constitutional war-declaring and oversight role, requiring legislative authorization for continued hostilities and increasing Congressional control over major military commitments.
U.S. personnel, partners, and Americans abroad would continue to receive defensive, intelligence, evacuation, and materiel assistance to protect lives and reduce immediate risks.
Military personnel and federal decision-makers would face tighter statutory limits on offensive operations against Iran, which could constrain rapid executive responses to evolving threats or time-sensitive intelligence.
If Congress fails to act, U.S. forces could be withdrawn or constrained in ways that make the United States appear less able to deter or respond to Iranian aggression, potentially emboldening adversaries and increasing regional instability.
Commanders and servicemembers could face operational complexity and ambiguity distinguishing between prohibited 'hostilities' and permitted defensive/support activities, complicating mission execution and risk management.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Directs the President to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities in or against Iran unless Congress declares war or passes a specific authorization for use of force, while allowing limited defensive and support activities.
Official title: 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.
Introduced July 13, 2026 by Adam Schiff · Last progress July 13, 2026
Directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has declared war or enacted a specific statutory authorization for the use of force. It invokes expedited War Powers Resolution procedures and clarifies that certain limited defensive, intelligence, partner-assistance, materiel-support, and evacuation activities are permitted during and after withdrawal. The resolution finds that U.S. forces were introduced into hostilities beginning February 28, 2026, that Congress has not enacted a specific authorization for force against Iran, and it requires removal under existing expedited procedures unless Congress explicitly authorizes continued hostilities.