A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.
This joint resolution would direct the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless there is an explicit declaration of war or a specific statutory authorization for use of military force. It rests on the premise that Congress—per the Constitution—has the sole power to declare war and that, to date, there is no such war authorization for actions in Venezuela. The measure emphasizes that any U.S. involvement now underway or planned should be resolved only after a full congressional briefing, public debate, and a vote, using expedited procedures available for joint resolutions related to imminent hostilities. A narrow exception preserves the right to defend the United States against an armed attack or an imminent threat. In short, if enacted, the resolution would require the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Venezuela unless Congress explicitly authorizes continued or new military actions. It does not bar self-defense but would remove ongoing hostilities that lack congressional authorization, subject to the constitutional defense of self-defense in emergencies.
Key Points
- 1The bill asserts Congress’s constitutional power to declare war and notes there is no current declaration of war or specific authorization for force against Venezuela.
- 2It characterizes U.S. actions in or toward Venezuela as either hostilities or imminent involvement in hostilities under the War Powers framework.
- 3It cites publicly reported CIA covert operations, expanded U.S. force presence near Venezuela, and planning for potential ground strikes as indicators of imminent involvement, and it calls for congressional briefing, debate, and a vote.
- 4It directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless there is a declaration of war or a specific statutory authorization.
- 5It provides a limited self-defense exception: nothing in the act prevents defending the United States from an armed attack or an imminent armed attack.