A joint resolution 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
- S.J.Res. 193
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-06T21:12:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
This joint resolution directs the President to withdraw United States Armed Forces from any fighting or conflicts involving the Republic of Cuba that have not been approved by Congress through a formal declaration of war or a specific law.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Congress holds the sole power to declare war under the Constitution, while the President must defend the nation from attacks.
- No war has been declared on Cuba, and no specific law has authorized military force there.
- Any use of United States forces, including the Coast Guard, to create a blockade or similar action against Cuba counts as entering into hostilities under the War Powers Resolution, a 1973 law that requires congressional approval for such actions.
- The resolution invokes special fast-track procedures from existing laws to require the President to remove forces from these unauthorized hostilities.
- A rule of construction states that the withdrawal does not prevent the United States from defending against an actual armed attack, an immediate threat of attack, or carrying out legal operations against illegal drugs.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
The resolution applies current rules from the War Powers Resolution and related statutes to this specific case involving Cuba. It does not create new laws but uses expedited congressional procedures to enforce the removal of forces unless Congress provides explicit approval.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies, it would require the Department of Defense and related military units to end any unauthorized operations against Cuba.
- On citizens, it could affect service members by requiring their withdrawal from potential conflicts in the region.
- On international relations, it might alter U.S. military posture toward Cuba and influence diplomatic efforts with that country or neighboring nations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The President and executive branch agencies responsible for military decisions.
- Members of Congress, who would exercise greater oversight on the use of force.
- United States Armed Forces and their personnel.
- The government and residents of Cuba.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The resolution emphasizes the constitutional division of powers, with Congress controlling declarations of war and the President handling defense. It could prompt discussions on the limits of presidential authority to use military force without prior approval and relies on established court precedents about what constitutes a state of conflict.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in Senate
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 2026-05-20 — PDF (3 pages)