[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 176 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. J. RES. 176
Authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 7, 2026
Mr. Barrett submitted the following joint resolution; which was
referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
JOINT RESOLUTION
Authorizing the use of the United States Armed Forces against the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism
and an adversary of the United States;
Whereas the Islamic Republic of Iran seeks to pose a threat to the United
States, its Armed Forces, and allies through its ballistic missile
program, its sponsorship of terrorist proxy forces, and continued
pursuit of a nuclear weapon;
Whereas should the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran obtain a nuclear
weapon, it would not hesitate to use such weapon on the United States or
its allies;
Whereas the Constitution vests Congress with the sole authority to declare war
under article 1, section 8;
Whereas the President of the United States took military action on February 28,
2026, against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and later
submitted a report to Congress on March 2, 2026, pursuant to the War
Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148);
Whereas Congress has not declared war with respect to, or provided any specific
statutory authorization for, hostilities involving United States Armed
Forces against the Islamic Republic of Iran;
Whereas the sixty-calendar-day period specified in section 5(b) of the War
Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b)) has expired; and
Whereas Congress recognizes that the members of the Armed Forces and all other
Americans deserve to know the clear mission scope and objective for the
use of any military force: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Joint Resolution may be cited as the ``2026 Authorization for
Use of Military Force Against Iran''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) Authorization.--The President is authorized to use the Armed
Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary
and appropriate in order to--
(1) successfully demolish, degrade, or defeat the nuclear
weapons program and associated delivery systems of the
Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran;
(2) address imminent threats to the Armed Forces or to
United States facilities posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran
or Iranian-backed forces;
(3) enforce a blockade of Iranian ports; and
(4) ensure safe passage for United States and allied
vessels throughout the Strait of Hormuz, as well as any other
vessels the President determines appropriate.
(b) Limitations on Use of Ground Troops.--The authority granted in
subsection (a) does not include any authorization for the deployment of
the Armed Forces for the purpose of--
(1) conducting sustained ground combat operations in the
territory of Iran;
(2) occupying, seizing, or holding territory within Iran;
or
(3) engaging in nation-building, stabilization operations,
or the establishment of long-term security governance within
Iran.
(c) Limited Exceptions.--Nothing in this section may be construed
to prohibit the use of the Armed Forces for--
(1) the rescue of United States citizens or members of the
Armed Forces; or
(2) intelligence collection or sharing activities in
support of the national security of the United States, or in
support of an ally or partner force.
(d) War Powers Resolution Requirements.--
(1) Specific statutory authorization.--Consistent with
section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress
declares that this section is intended to constitute specific
statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of
the War Powers Resolution.
(2) Applicability of other requirements.--Nothing in this
joint resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers
Resolution.
SEC. 3. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--The President shall, at least once every 30 days,
submit to Congress a report on matters relevant to this joint
resolution, including--
(1) actions taken pursuant to the exercise of authority
granted in section 2;
(2) a description of any military operations conducted in
reliance on authorities other than the authority granted in
section 2;
(3) an explanation of the legal authority for each action
and operation described in paragraphs (1) and (2);
(4) policy justifications for each action and operation
described in paragraphs (1) and (2);
(5) the expected scope and duration of hostilities
associated with each such action and operation; and
(6) an assessment of civilian and military casualties.
(b) Form.--The report required by this section shall be submitted
in unclassified form and may contain a classified annex.
SEC. 4. SUNSET.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), the
authority provided in section 2 shall terminate on July 30, 2026.
(b) Limited Wind-Down Period.--For an additional period of not more
than 30 days after the date described in subsection (a), the authority
provided in section 2 may be exercised only as necessary to end the
deployment or engagement of the Armed Forces.
<all>