Limiting the Conflict in Iran
One of my biggest frustrations when I served in the Army was that our decades-long War on Terror had no clearly defined mission and no end date for the conflict to wind down. The result was a war that dragged on aimlessly.
We can’t let an endless war like that ever happen again. Congress has sole authority to declare war, and that includes when and how we engage our troops in battle.
That’s why after President Trump’s military operations in Iran had passed the 60-day limit allowed under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, I introduced legislation to limit and wind down the conflict. My authorization for the use of military force includes:
- Clear Mission Objectives: Demolish Iran’s nuclear weapons program, prevent imminent threats to Americans, blockade Iranian ports, and ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz for U.S. and allied ships.
- Prohibitions to Limit Escalation: No boots on the ground. No nation-building or establishing long-term governance of Iran. No occupying or seizing territory within Iran.
- Deadlines to Prevent an Endless War: A sunset expiration of July 30, 2026 — 90 days after the initial report of concluded military action was submitted to Congress on May 1.
- Direct Congressional Oversight: Every 30 days, a report must be sent to Congress detailing military operations taken, an assessment of civilian and military casualties, and an explanation of the legal authority and policy justification for each action taken.
Check out the resources below to find out more about my effort to wind down the conflict in Iran and prevent another endless war.
Read my blog breaking down my plan to limit and wind the conflict in Iran.
Read my 2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran (H.J.Res. 176).