No War with Venezuela Act of 2026

Bill Number: S. 3595
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: International Affairs
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-01-07: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Last Updated: 2026-02-09T19:28:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "No War with Venezuela Act of 2026" aims to prevent unauthorized U.S. military or intelligence involvement in Venezuela that could lead to conflict, occupation, or support for private interests. It requires congressional approval for using federal funds on such deployments, promoting oversight to avoid escalation into war.

Key Provisions

Prohibition on Funding Deployments: Federal funds cannot be used to deploy U.S. military or intelligence personnel in Venezuela for:
Conducting military operations against the Venezuelan government or its people.
Supporting U.S. law enforcement efforts, such as arresting individuals indicted by the U.S.
Occupying Venezuela militarily, including any actions that could be seen as managing its government.
Providing security or services to private industries involved in resource extraction, like oil companies.
Any other activities not specifically approved by Congress.
Exceptions to the Prohibition: The ban does not apply to:
Defending against attacks by Venezuela on U.S. personnel or facilities outside the U.S.
Collecting, analyzing, or sharing intelligence or counterintelligence information relevant to U.S. interests.
Protecting U.S. diplomatic operations in Venezuela.
Gathering intelligence to secure the release of U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela.
Interdicting (stopping) and disrupting the production or distribution of illegal drugs originating from Venezuela.
Countering the influence of foreign governments (China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) in Venezuela and nearby countries.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a targeted restriction on executive branch actions in Venezuela, requiring explicit congressional authorization for certain military and intelligence deployments. Previously, the president had broader authority under laws like the War Powers Resolution (1973) to initiate limited military actions without immediate congressional approval. This act narrows that flexibility specifically for Venezuela, emphasizing funding prohibitions as a tool for congressional control.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Limits the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies (e.g., CIA), and law enforcement (e.g., DEA) from engaging in proactive operations in Venezuela without Congress's go-ahead, potentially slowing responses to threats but enhancing oversight.
On Citizens: Protects U.S. nationals by prioritizing intelligence for their safe return from detention; it may reduce risks of broader conflict affecting American interests or expatriates in the region.
On International Relations: Signals a cautious U.S. approach to Venezuela, potentially de-escalating tensions with its government while countering rivals like China and Russia. It could strain relations with allies expecting U.S. support against Venezuelan influence or drug trafficking, and affect private U.S. companies operating in Venezuelan resources.

Main Stakeholders Affected

U.S. Congress: Gains stronger control over foreign policy decisions involving Venezuela.
Executive Branch Agencies: Military, intelligence, and diplomatic entities face funding restrictions on certain activities.
Private Sector: Extractive industries (e.g., oil firms) lose potential U.S. government security support in Venezuela.
Venezuelan Government and People: Protected from unauthorized U.S. military actions, but exceptions allow ongoing intelligence monitoring.
U.S. Citizens: Detained individuals or those in the region benefit from focused rescue efforts; broader public sees reduced war risks.
Foreign Governments: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea face U.S. countermeasures in the area; regional neighbors may see shifts in anti-drug or anti-influence operations.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal/Constitutional: Reinforces Congress's constitutional authority (Article I, Section 8) to declare war and control funding, potentially challenging executive claims of inherent foreign affairs powers. It builds on the War Powers Resolution but applies it narrowly to Venezuela, which could set a precedent for similar bills on other nations.
Political: Highlights bipartisan concerns over U.S. interventions in Latin America, amid debates on Venezuela's political crisis and sanctions. It may polarize views on balancing non-intervention with countering adversaries, influencing future foreign aid or sanctions policies without altering existing economic measures against Venezuela.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]

Recent Actions

2026-01-07: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
2026-01-07: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

No War with Venezuela Act of 2026 — issued 2026-01-07 — PDF (3 pages)