S.J.Res. 118 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 5, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires Congress approval for Iran military action
This joint resolution tells the President to pull U.S. Armed Forces out of any fighting in or against Iran, unless Congress has officially declared war or given permission to use military force for that purpose. The resolution does include an exception: it doesn't prevent the U.S. from defending itself if it's attacked or if American personnel or facilities elsewhere are attacked.
How it affects you
This mainly affects how decisions get made at the highest levels of government rather than directly changing things in Americans' daily lives. It reinforces the principle that Congress, not just the President, should authorize military action—a constitutional question that different people view differently. If you have family members in the military, the resolution could affect where they're deployed and under what circumstances.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 5, 2026)
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran 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 against an attack on the United States or its personnel or facilities in other nations.
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.
2nd SessionS.J.Res. 118
JOINT RESOLUTION
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.
Sponsor: Sen. Cory A. Booker (D-NJ) · Introduced Mar 5, 2026 · International Affairs · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 18, 2026: “Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 58.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsSenate · On the Motion to Discharge · Mar 18, 2026
Motion to Discharge Rejected 47–53
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 44 | 1 | 0 |
| Independents | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 1 | 52 | 0 |
2 members voted against most of their party: 1 Democrats voted No and 1 Republicans voted Yes.
Source: senate.gov · roll call 58
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.