To prohibit the use of funds to use military force in or against Cuba, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8103
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-08T08:05:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill aims to prevent the U.S. government from using taxpayer money to conduct military operations in or against Cuba without explicit congressional approval, during a specific time period.
Key Provisions
- Funding Prohibition: No federal funds can be spent on military force in or against Cuba from the date of enactment until December 31, 2026, unless:
- Congress declares war on Cuba, or
- Congress passes a specific law authorizing such force after the bill's enactment, meeting the standards of the War Powers Resolution (a 1973 law requiring the President to notify Congress about military actions and limits unauthorized hostilities to 60-90 days).
- Exception: The ban does not apply if the military action fits under section 2(c) of the War Powers Resolution, which covers defensive responses to attacks or imminent threats (e.g., repelling an armed invasion).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds a targeted, time-limited ban on funding for military actions specifically against Cuba, beyond the general requirements of the War Powers Resolution.
- Requires new, explicit congressional authorization post-enactment for any offensive operations, limiting presidential flexibility in this area.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Restricts the Department of Defense and other executive branch agencies from using funds for military actions in/against Cuba, potentially requiring congressional debates and votes.
- Citizens: Protects U.S. taxpayers from funding unauthorized military engagements; may reassure Cuban-American communities or anti-intervention advocates.
- International Relations: Could reduce tensions with Cuba by signaling no U.S. military threat without Congress's say; might strain U.S. credibility with allies expecting flexibility on regional security.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress: Gains stronger control over military decisions specific to Cuba.
- Executive Branch (President, DoD, State Department): Faces funding limits on unilateral actions.
- Cuba (Republic of Cuba): Protected from U.S. military force absent congressional approval.
- U.S. Public and Advocacy Groups: Impacts taxpayers, peace advocates, and Cuban diaspora communities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's power of the purse (Article I authority over spending) and war declaration powers (Article I, Section 8), checking executive war-making authority.
- Legal: Builds on the War Powers Resolution but adds a strict funding cutoff, which courts have upheld in similar cases (e.g., blocking funds for unauthorized wars).
- Political: Could spark debates over foreign policy, Cuba embargo relations, and branch-of-government balance; introduced by a bipartisan group but referred to key committees for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7]
Cosponsors (34)
Rep. Meeks, Gregory W. [D-NY-5], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
- 2026-03-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in House
- 2026-03-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To prohibit the use of funds to use military force in or against Cuba, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-03-26 — PDF (2 pages)