Constitution Index · S.J.Res. 184 · 2026-04-16

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.

Latest official status (2026-04-30): Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 47 - 50. Record Vote Number: 113. (consideration: CR S2156-2158)

Official source ↗

Constitutional grade

A

Constitutional

This joint resolution is a textbook exercise of Congress's constitutional war powers. It directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against Iran, unless Congress has explicitly authorized such action through a declaration of war or an authorization for use of military force. The resolution does not infringe on any constitutional right, does not consolidate power, and respects the separation of powers by reasserting Congress's exclusive authority to declare war. The only exception carved out—self-defense against an attack on the United States or its personnel or facilities—is consistent with the President's inherent Article II authority to repel sudden attacks. The resolution is fully constitutional.

Article II Article I, Section 8 Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 Article II, Section 2 Amendment V

SI-generated grade · passed automated checks (real Constitution citation, language rules) · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology · Report an error: hello@valuesforamerica.com

The five checks

Enumerated powers · passes

Congress has explicit constitutional authority to declare war and to raise and support armies and navies under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 11-14. Directing the removal of forces from unauthorized hostilities is a direct exercise of these enumerated powers. The resolution does not exceed Congress's authority; it reinforces the constitutional allocation of war powers.

Bill of Rights · passes

The resolution does not implicate any of the first ten amendments. It does not restrict speech, religion, assembly, press, petition, arms, quartering, search and seizure, self-incrimination, due process, takings, trial rights, or cruel and unusual punishment. It concerns the conduct of foreign hostilities and the separation of war powers, which are outside the scope of the Bill of Rights.

Individual liberty · passes

The resolution does not restrict any individual's person, property, speech, labor, or belief. It addresses the deployment and removal of military forces, which is a governmental action at the national level. It does not impose any burden on individual citizens, and therefore does not infringe on individual sovereignty.

Decentralization · passes

The resolution concerns the conduct of foreign hostilities, which is inherently a federal matter. The Constitution grants the federal government exclusive authority over foreign affairs and war powers (Article I, Section 8, Clause 11; Article II, Section 2). No individual, local community, or state could handle this issue. The resolution does not consolidate power upward; it actually reasserts Congress's constitutional role against potential executive overreach, which is a check on consolidation.

Due process and takings · passes

The resolution does not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process, nor does it take private property for public use without just compensation. It does not involve any judicial or administrative proceeding. It is a legislative directive regarding the use of military force, which does not implicate the Fifth Amendment's Due Process or Takings Clauses.

Provenance

Grade ID
805
Rubric version
vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0
Graded
2026-10-13 23:20 UTC
Engine
backup SI engine
Source fetched
2026-10-07 22:07 UTC
Source SHA-256
135763f0816214e004caf5c22132e72d119aec197ebb50b9d707af20aba1522d
Checks
si-editorial-standard/1.0: real Constitution citation, language rules

Version history · never overwritten

GradeGradedRubric Source hashStatus
A · #805 2026-10-13 vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0 135763f08162 current

Cite this

Values for America. “Constitutional grade: S.J.Res. 184, 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..” VFA Constitution Index, grade 805 (rubric vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0), graded October 13, 2026. https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution-index/grades/805. Accessed 2026-10-19.

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