S.J.Res. 59 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jun 16, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires Congress approval for military action against Iran
This joint resolution would direct the President to stop using U.S. Armed Forces against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized it through a formal declaration of war or a specific vote approving military action against Iran. Essentially, it says the President cannot engage in military hostilities with Iran on their own authority.
How it affects you
This would affect active-duty military personnel and their families, since it determines when and how they might be deployed to military action against Iran. It also affects you as a taxpayer, since it shapes whether and how your government can spend money on military operations there. For most Americans, this is about whether Congress or the President makes the decision to go to war.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jun 16, 2025)
This joint resolution directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces for hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a congressional declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force against Iran.
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 SessionS.J.Res. 59
JOINT RESOLUTION
A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.
Sponsor: Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) · Introduced Jun 16, 2025 · International Affairs · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jun 27, 2025: “Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 53. Record Vote Number: 328. (consideration: CR S3595)”
How Congress voted
Official roll callsSenate · On the Motion to Discharge · Jun 27, 2025
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 328
Congress votes on whole bills and amendments, not on single sections.