H.J.Res. 126 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Sep 19, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires Congressional approval for military action
This joint resolution would direct the President to pull U.S. Armed Forces out of any hostilities against terrorist organizations or states where they operate, unless Congress has declared war or authorized military force for that specific purpose. The rule would apply to hostile groups newly designated as terrorists or global terrorist organizations on or after February 20, 2025, as well as non-state groups involved in illegal drug trafficking. The resolution carves out exceptions: the U.S. could still defend itself from armed attacks or imminent threats, and could keep supporting authorized counternarcotics operations.
How it affects you
This mainly affects military service members and defense policy. If enacted, the President would have less flexibility to direct Armed Forces into new hostilities without Congress voting first. For most Americans, it represents one perspective on how Congress and the President should share power over military decisions, though the official summary doesn't describe specific daily-life changes for most people.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 19, 2025)
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against any organization designated on or after February 20, 2025, as a foreign terrorist organization or specially designated global terrorist, any states in which such entities operate, or any non-state organization engaged in illegal drug trafficking unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted.
The resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself from an armed attack or the threat of an imminent armed attack or from using the U.S. Armed Forces in support of civil authorities as part of authorized counternarcotics operations.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH.J.Res. 126
JOINT RESOLUTION
A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress.
Sponsor: Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO-6) · Introduced Sep 19, 2025 · International Affairs · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 19, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.”