To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress.
- Bill Number
- H.J.Res. 153
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T21:12:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution (H.J. Res. 153) aims to assert Congress's constitutional authority over military actions by directing the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from any hostilities—defined as combat or related operations—within or against Cuba, unless Congress has explicitly authorized them through a declaration of war or a specific law allowing military force.
Key Provisions
- Findings (Section 1): The resolution outlines background facts, including:
- Congress's exclusive power under the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) to declare war.
- The President's duty to defend the U.S., its territories, citizens, service members, and diplomats from attacks.
- No congressional declaration of war or specific authorization exists for military actions in or against Cuba.
- Actions like blockades or quarantines by the U.S. military or Coast Guard count as "hostilities" under the War Powers Resolution (a 1973 law that requires congressional approval for prolonged military engagements).
- References expedited congressional procedures for such resolutions under existing laws like the Department of State Authorization Act (1984) and the International Security Assistance Act (1976).
- Removal Directive (Section 2):
- Orders the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or against Cuba, invoking the same expedited procedures for quick congressional consideration.
- Includes a "rule of construction" clarifying that this does not block U.S. self-defense against armed attacks (or imminent threats) or routine anti-drug trafficking operations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution does not amend laws directly but enforces the War Powers Resolution by applying it specifically to Cuba, potentially overriding any ongoing or future unauthorized military activities there.
- It builds on prior statutes (e.g., the 1984 State Department Act) by mandating expedited debate and vote, which could speed up congressional oversight of executive military decisions compared to standard legislative processes.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The President and Department of Defense would face restrictions on unilateral military operations near Cuba, requiring congressional approval for anything beyond immediate self-defense or drug interdiction; this could limit flexibility for the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy in regional patrols.
- Citizens: U.S. citizens, diplomats, or service members in the region might see reduced risk of escalation into unauthorized conflicts, but could face gaps in protection if operations are scaled back without new authorizations.
- International Relations: Could de-escalate tensions with Cuba by signaling limits on U.S. military involvement, potentially improving diplomatic ties or trade, but might strain alliances if perceived as weakening U.S. resolve against regional threats.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress: Gains reinforced authority over war decisions, with tools for faster intervention.
- Executive Branch (President and Military): Faces direct limits on actions, promoting checks and balances but possibly complicating rapid responses.
- U.S. Armed Forces and Coast Guard: Personnel involved in Cuban-related operations would need to withdraw unless reauthorized, affecting deployment and readiness.
- Cuban Government and Citizens: Could benefit from reduced U.S. military pressure, easing internal stability but raising concerns about unaddressed security issues.
- U.S. Taxpayers and Broader Public: Impacts funding for military operations, with potential savings from withdrawals but risks to national security posture.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Reinforces the separation of powers by upholding Congress's war-declaring role against potential executive overreach, aligning with debates over the War Powers Resolution's effectiveness since 1973.
- Legal: Invokes established frameworks like the War Powers Resolution without creating new penalties, but could lead to court challenges if the President resists implementation; the expedited procedures ensure quicker resolution than typical bills.
- Political: Highlights partisan divides on foreign policy (introduced by Rep. Velázquez, a Democrat), potentially sparking debates on U.S.-Cuba relations amid historical tensions; if passed, it might set a precedent for similar resolutions on other nations, influencing future military authorizations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7]
Cosponsors (12)
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-24: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
- 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress. — issued 2026-03-24 — PDF (3 pages)