Barrett Introduces AUMF To Limit, Wind Down Conflict in Iran and Restore Congressional War Powers Authority
May 7, 2026 Press Release 90-Day Authorization Would Prohibit Ground Troops and Nation-Building Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to provide a clear and defined mission objective, limit the scope of approved military action, and establish a firm deadline for the conflict in Iran. Specifically, the AUMF would give President Donald Trump 90 days of the congressional authority required to successfully demolish, degrade, or defeat the nuclear weapons program of Iran and its proxies without putting American boots on the ground or engaging in nation-building. “Two things have been clear from the very beginning: Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the United States of America cannot be dragged into another endless war,” said Barrett. “The Commander in Chief has the sole authority to lead our troops in wartime, but I’ve lost too many friends on the battlefield to allow that to happen without Congress exercising its constitutional role to clearly define the mission with safeguards and a deadline. If we don’t learn from our foreign policy failures of the past, we are bound to repeat them.” On February 28, 2026, President Trump initiated military action against Iran. He subsequently notified Congress on March 2, 2026, in accordance with the War Powers Resolution of 1973. According to the War Powers Resolution (Sec. 5b), the president must terminate any use of force after 60 days of the report being submitted, which expired on May 1, 2026. On May 1, the Trump administration issued a report to Congress detailing that the use of military force had concluded. However, U.S. military operations are ongoing. In the absence of Congress declaring war or providing specific statutory authorization for this use of military force, Barrett introduced a formal AUMF reclaiming Congress’s authority under Article 1 of the Constitution and giving President Trump clear legal authority to stop Iran from procuring a nuclear weapon with clear safeguards and limitations. The 2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran includes: Clear Mission Objectives: Demolish, degrade, or defeat Iran’s nuclear weapons program and associated delivery systems; Address imminent threats to our Armed Forces or U.S. facilities by Iran or Iranian proxies; Enforce a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz while ensuring safe passage for U.S. and allied vessels. Authorization Prohibitions To Limit Escalation: No boots on the ground, except for rescue missions and intelligence collection; 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; A limited wind-down period of 30 days to end the deployment or engagement of the Armed Forces. Reporting Requirements To Congress: Every 30 days, the president must provide Congress with a description of military operations taken pursuant to the AUMF or conducted in reliance on other authorities; An explanation of the legal authority and policy justification for each action and operation taken; An assessment of civilian and military casualties. CLICK HERE to read the full Authorization for Use of Military Force. BACKGROUND: Barrett joined the United States Army after high school where he served for 22 years in multiple key locations around the world, including Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Kuwait, and the Korean DMZ. Throughout his military career, he logged over 1,000 hours flying advanced helicopters, earning numerous awards and distinctions along the way. ###
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May 7, 2026 Press Release 90-Day Authorization Would Prohibit Ground Troops and Nation-Building Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) to provide a clear and defined mission objective, limit the scope of approved military action, and establish a firm deadline for the conflict in Iran. Specifically, the AUMF would give President Donald Trump 90 days of the congressional authority required to successfully demolish, degrade, or defeat the nuclear weapons program of Iran and its proxies without putting American boots on the ground or engaging in nation-building. “Two things have been clear from the very beginning: Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon and the United States of America cannot be dragged into another endless war,” said Barrett. “The Commander in Chief has the sole authority to lead our troops in wartime, but I’ve lost too many friends on the battlefield to allow that to happen without Congress exercising its constitutional role to clearly define the mission with safeguards and a deadline. If we don’t learn from our foreign policy failures of the past, we are bound to repeat them.” On February 28, 2026, President Trump initiated military action against Iran. He subsequently notified Congress on March 2, 2026, in accordance with the War Powers Resolution of 1973. According to the War Powers Resolution (Sec. 5b), the president must terminate any use of force after 60 days of the report being submitted, which expired on May 1, 2026. On May 1, the Trump administration issued a report to Congress detailing that the use of military force had concluded. However, U.S. military operations are ongoing. In the absence of Congress declaring war or providing specific statutory authorization for this use of military force, Barrett introduced a formal AUMF reclaiming Congress’s authority under Article 1 of the Constitution and giving President Trump clear legal authority to stop Iran from procuring a nuclear weapon with clear safeguards and limitations. The 2026 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iran includes: Clear Mission Objectives: Demolish, degrade, or defeat Iran’s nuclear weapons program and associated delivery systems; Address imminent threats to our Armed Forces or U.S. facilities by Iran or Iranian proxies; Enforce a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz while ensuring safe passage for U.S. and allied vessels. Authorization Prohibitions To Limit Escalation: No boots on the ground, except for rescue missions and intelligence collection; 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 military action was submitted to Congress on May 1; A limited wind-down period of 30 days to end the deployment or engagement of the Armed Forces. Reporting Requirements To Congress: Every 30 days, the president must provide Congress with a description of military operations taken pursuant to the AUMF or conducted in reliance on other authorities; An explanation of the legal authority and policy justification for each action and operation taken; An assessment of civilian and military casualties. CLICK HERE to read the full Authorization for Use of Military Force. BACKGROUND: Barrett joined the United States Army after high school where he served for 22 years in multiple key locations around the world, including Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Kuwait, and the Korean DMZ. Throughout his military career, he logged over 1,000 hours flying advanced helicopters, earning numerous awards and distinctions along the way. ###
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