H.Res. 1456House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Directing the initiation of litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States.

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Updated July 24, 2026 at 8:24 AM UTC

This resolution directs the Speaker of the House to file or join civil lawsuits in federal court on behalf of the House of Representatives when the President or other executive officials act in ways that violate their constitutional duties. It focuses on alleged unauthorized military hostilities reported by the President on March 2, 2026, and on enforcing the War Powers Resolution’s requirements to end such hostilities and withdraw forces from Iran.

Key Provisions

The Speaker must initiate or intervene in civil actions to seek relief when the President or executive officials fail to act in accordance with constitutional and legal duties.
The resolution targets the President’s reported hostilities on March 2, 2026, under the War Powers Resolution (section 4(a)(1)).
It requires enforcement of War Powers Resolution section 5(b), mandating termination of hostilities that persist 60 days without congressional authorization.
It implements concurrent resolution H. Con. Res. 86, directing the President to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran under War Powers Resolution section 5(c).
The Speaker must notify the House when such litigation is initiated or the House intervenes.
The House Office of the General Counsel, under the Speaker’s direction, will represent the House and may hire outside counsel and experts.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Rules Committee

July 23, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Submitted in House

July 23, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Rules Committee

July 23, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 23, 2026

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. RES. 1456

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 23, 2026

Mr. Meeks (for himself, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Massie, Mr. Amo, Ms. Jayapal, Mr. Crow, and Mr. Khanna) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

RESOLUTION

Directing the initiation of litigation for actions by the President or other executive branch officials inconsistent with their duties under the Constitution of the United States.

That the Speaker shall initiate or intervene in one or more civil actions on behalf of the House of Representatives in a Federal court of competent jurisdiction to seek any appropriate relief regarding the failure of the President, the head of any department or agency, or any other officer or employee of the executive branch, to act in a manner consistent with that official’s duties under the Constitution and laws of the United States with respect to—

(1)

the ongoing hostilities reported by the President on March 2, 2026, pursuant to section 4(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1544(b));

(2)

the implementation of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution, mandating that the President terminate hostilities reported pursuant to section 4(a)(1) that persist for 60 days and have not been congressionally authorized; and

(3)

the implementation of the concurrent resolution, 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 against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Speaker shall notify the House of Representatives when it has complied with the first section of this resolution and initiated or intervened in a civil action pursuant to this resolution.

The Office of the General Counsel of the House of Representatives, at the direction of the Speaker, shall represent the House in any civil action initiated, or in which the House intervenes, pursuant to this resolution, and may employ the services of outside counsel and other experts for this purpose.