S.J.Res. 123 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 10, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires congressional approval for Iran military operations
This joint resolution would direct the President to pull U.S. Armed Forces out of any hostilities involving Iran unless Congress has formally declared war or authorized military force first. The resolution includes an exception: it wouldn't prevent the U.S. from defending itself if attacked.
How it affects you
This doesn't directly change your daily life, but it affects how decisions get made about military action. It asserts that Congress—not just the President—must approve before the military engages in hostilities against Iran, which is a matter of how power is balanced in government according to the Constitution.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 10, 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. 123
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. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) · Introduced Mar 10, 2026 · International Affairs · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Apr 15, 2026: “Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 52. Record Vote Number: 79.”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsSenate · On the Motion to Discharge · Apr 15, 2026
Motion to Discharge Rejected 47–52
| Party | Yes | No | Didn’t vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 44 | 1 | 0 |
| Independents | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Republicans | 1 | 51 | 1 |
2 members voted against most of their party: 1 Democrats voted No and 1 Republicans voted Yes.
Source: senate.gov · roll call 79
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.