Constitution Index · S.J.Res. 181 · 2026-04-13

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 (2026-07-30): Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 50. Record Vote Number: 216. (consideration: CR S4357)

Official source ↗

Constitutional grade

A

Constitutional

This joint resolution is fully constitutional. It reaffirms the separation of war powers between Congress and the President, requiring congressional authorization for hostilities against Iran while preserving the President's inherent authority to defend against sudden attacks. It does not infringe on any individual rights, does not consolidate power, and respects due process.

Article I, Section 8

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

The resolution exercises Congress's explicit power to declare war and to make rules for the regulation of the armed forces under Article I, Section 8, Clauses 11 and 14. It also reflects Congress's power of the purse and its role in authorizing military force. Directing the removal of forces from unauthorized hostilities is within these enumerated powers.

Bill of Rights · passes

The resolution does not implicate any of the first ten amendments. It concerns the conduct of foreign military affairs and 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.

Individual liberty · passes

The resolution does not restrict individual liberty. It limits the President's ability to commit troops to hostilities without congressional approval, which is a structural check on government power rather than a restriction on individual action. It does not affect personal property, labor, speech, or belief.

Decentralization · passes

This resolution concerns the federal government's war powers, which are inherently national in scope. The questions about individual, local, or state handling are not applicable to foreign military hostilities. The resolution does not consolidate power upward; rather, it reinforces the constitutional balance between Congress and the President, preventing unilateral executive action.

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. It is a procedural measure that ensures the President follows the constitutional process for engaging in hostilities, which aligns with substantive due process principles of non-arbitrary government action.

Provenance

Grade ID
798
Rubric version
vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0
Graded
2026-10-13 23:20 UTC
Engine
backup SI engine
Source fetched
2026-10-07 12:07 UTC
Source SHA-256
135763f0816214e004caf5c22132e72d119aec197ebb50b9d707af20aba1522d
Checks
si-editorial-standard/1.0: real Constitution citation, language rules

Version history · never overwritten

GradeGradedRubric Source hashStatus
A · #798 2026-10-13 vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0 135763f08162 current

Cite this

Values for America. “Constitutional grade: S.J.Res. 181, 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 798 (rubric vfa-constitutional-grade/1.0), graded October 13, 2026. https://www.valuesforamerica.com/constitution-index/grades/798. Accessed 2026-10-19.

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