119-HCONRES-104 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary — H. Con. Res. 104 (119th Congress)

Headline Summary: Tells the President to end any U.S. military involvement in hostilities with Iran unless Congress passes a specific authorization for force, while keeping clear exceptions for self‑defense and intelligence work.

What It Does: The resolution orders the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress declares war or passes a specific authorization. It clarifies that it does not stop the U.S. from defending its troops, embassies, or allies from imminent attack, does not require pulling troops from the region if they aren’t fighting Iran, and does not disrupt intelligence collection, analysis, or sharing with partners. It also states that nothing in the measure itself authorizes force.

Who’s For It:

• Lawmakers who want Congress — not the President — to decide when the U.S. goes to war, pointing to the War Powers Resolution’s mechanism for directing a withdrawal by congressional vote.
• Advocacy groups skeptical of open‑ended military action, who argue this prevents sliding into a broader conflict without a clear mandate.

Supporters frame it as reasserting Congress’s constitutional role and using the War Powers Resolution’s Section 5(c) process to halt unauthorized hostilities. [1]Congressional Research Service via Congress.gov — CRS: The War Powers Resolutio…

Who’s Against It:

• National‑security hawks who warn it could tie commanders’ hands and signal weakness to Tehran.
• Officials who argue it might complicate ongoing force protection or deterrence operations in the region.

For example, the Administration opposed a similar Senate measure (S.J.Res. 104) on the grounds that it would undermine deterrence and U.S. force protection. [2]The White House — White House Statement of Administration Policy on S.J.Res. 10…

What’s Next: As of May 20, 2026, H. Con. Res. 104 has been introduced and referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. It would need House and Senate passage to proceed as a concurrent resolution.