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S. 3159 116th Congress Senate

No War Against Iran Act

Official title: A bill to prohibit the use of funds for military force against Iran, and for other purposes.

Introduced: January 8, 2020 Introduced by: Bernard Sanders Independent · Vermont See on congress.gov
International Affairs Congressional oversightDefense spendingIranMiddle East
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Military operations and strategyPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsWar and emergency powers
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jan 8, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Jan 8, 2020
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action January 8, 2020

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

No War Against Iran Act

This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of federal funds for any use of military force in or against Iran unless Congress has either declared war or enacted specific statutory authorization for such use.

An exception is made for a presidential exercise of power to introduce Armed Forces into hostilities (or situations where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated) when there is a national emergency created by an attack upon the United States.

The bill further states that no prior authorizations of military force (e.g., against Iraq) may be construed to authorize the use of military force against Iran.

 Related & companion bills 4
  • HR 550 Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019
  • HR 2500 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
  • HR 5543 No War Against Iran Act
  • S 1790 National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Democratic 10 Republican 1
R
Lee, Mike
Utah · Jan 13, 2020
 D
Baldwin, Tammy
Wisconsin · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Blumenthal, Richard
Connecticut · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Cantwell, Maria
Washington · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Gillibrand, Kirsten E.
New York · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Merkley, Jeff
Oregon · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Schumer, Charles E.
New York · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Warren, Elizabeth
Massachusetts · Jan 8, 2020
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Jan 8, 2020
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3159: No War Against Iran Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3159/
MLA
"S. 3159: No War Against Iran Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3159/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3159, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3159/.
Markdown link
[S. 3159: No War Against Iran Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3159/)
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