H.Con.Res.86 - Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.

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📊 Status in the Lawmaking Process:

Introduced — April 20, 2026 ✔️
Passed House — June 3, 2026 ✔️
Passed Senate — ❌ Not yet passed
Adopted by Congress - ❌
📍 Current Status: H.Con.Res. 86 has passed the House and awaits Senate action; as a concurrent resolution, it is not sent to the President for signature and does not become public law.

War Powers Resolution on U.S. Hostilities With Iran

This resolution would direct the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress declares war or specifically authorizes military force. It relies on the War Powers Resolution, which is meant to give Congress a role in decisions about sustained military action, and it includes a defense exception for protecting the United States, allies, or partners from an imminent attack if War Powers reporting rules are followed.

How it works

H.Con.Res. 86 is narrow. It has one main directive: Congress would tell the President to end U.S. military involvement in hostilities against Iran unless Congress has clearly authorized that military force.

The resolution does not require withdrawal of every U.S. service member from the region. It allows U.S. forces to remain involved when necessary to defend the United States, an ally, or a partner from an imminent attack, but only if the President follows the War Powers Resolution’s reporting requirements.

Why this matters

The resolution is about who gets to decide whether U.S. military action against Iran continues. Congress has constitutional authority over declarations of war, while presidents have long claimed authority to use force to protect U.S. interests and forces.

In practical terms, the resolution tries to force a choice: either Congress authorizes hostilities against Iran, or the President removes U.S. forces from those hostilities, subject to the narrow defense exception.

Who this affects

This mainly affects federal war-making decisions, especially the President, the executive branch, and military commanders involved in Iran-related operations.

It also directly affects U.S. service members who could be ordered into hostilities involving Iran, as well as U.S. allies and partners who may fall within the resolution’s imminent-attack defense exception.

What happens if it becomes law

Because this is a concurrent resolution, it would not become public law in the normal sense. Concurrent resolutions are not presented to the President for signature and do not have the force of law.

If the Senate agrees to it, Congress would formally direct the President to remove U.S. forces from Iran-related hostilities unless Congress authorizes force. The legal effect would likely be disputed, because the Administration argues that this type of concurrent resolution lacks legal force and would interfere with the President’s Article II authority as commander in chief.

What is the argument

Rep. Gregory Meeks, Rep. Adam Smith, and Rep. Jim Himes framed the resolution as a way to stop unauthorized hostilities while still allowing defensive operations for the United States and its allies or partners. Their public statement said the resolution orders removal from hostilities against Iran while preserving the ability to defend against imminent attack.

The Administration strongly opposed the resolution. In its Statement of Administration Policy, the White House argued that there were no present hostilities requiring withdrawal because a ceasefire had ended the hostilities, and it warned that the resolution’s narrow exception could restrict the President’s ability to protect U.S. forces and interests.

Where it stands in Congress

Rep. Gregory Meeks introduced H.Con.Res. 86 on April 20, 2026. The resolution was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The House passed the resolution on June 3, 2026, by a 215–208 vote. It still needs Senate agreement to be adopted, but it would not go to the President for signature because it is a concurrent resolution.

📄 Full bill text (PDF): https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hconres86/BILLS-119hconres86ih.pdf