RELEASE: Nine Members Introduce War Powers Resolution on Iran 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, a group of eight Democrats, including Reps. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), Greg Landsman (OH-1), Jim Costa (CA-21), Jared Golden (ME-2), Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Adam Gray (CA-13), and Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) formally introduced a new War Powers Resolution to uphold Congress’s constitutional authority, while ensuring the United States can continue to defend our service members, embassies, and allies from Iranian aggression.

The resolution is privileged, meaning that it can be brought to the floor by the week of March 23. 

The new War Powers Resolution: 

• Directs the President to end U.S. military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran within thirty days unless Congress provides authorization for the use of military force or a formal declaration of war. The thirty-day clock commenced on February 28, 2026. The President is expected to use this time to present his case for U.S. military action to Congress and the American people. 

• Precludes the President from deploying ground troops without explicit congressional authority, except for cases of search and rescue missions and intelligence activities.   

• Explicitly preserves the United States’ ability to defend itself, our armed forces, embassies, and allied nations from imminent attack, and protect ongoing intelligence collection and intelligence sharing.  

• Mandates that the President and Administration regularly brief Members of Congress and the relevant committees on the goals and objectives of major military action as military operations continue.  

Find text of the resolution here. 

The Iranian regime remains the leading state sponsor of terror, operating under the banner of “Death to America,” and referring to America as the “Great Satan.” Since 1979, Iran has threatened America and our allies with their ballistic missile, nuclear, and terror proxy programs, all of which have led to the death of thousands of Americans, service members, and allies. The oppressive regime also met calls for freedom and democracy earlier this year with death and violence, massacring tens of thousands of their own people. 

Thousands of Americans, both military and civilian, are currently in the region and in the crosshairs of the Iranian regime. We must allow for a safe transition that protects our service members, embassies, and allies. In recent days, Iran has launched ongoing offensive attacks against American troops, diplomats, and partners across the region. Iran has also launched drone and ballistic missile attacks against civilian targets, including hospitals, hotels, and airports.  

This new legislation provides a clear thirty-day window consistent with the War Powers Act of 1973, maintains clear authority on self-defense, and avoids signaling retreat to our adversaries. This is not about politics; it is about commonsense action to defend our troops and allies while standing by Congress’s Article I constitutional responsibilities. 

A thirty-day period will allow for Congress to be fully briefed, for intelligence committees to assess the status of the conflict, and for the American people to hear directly from the Administration on the goals and endgame of this action. 

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