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.
- Bill Number
- S.J.Res. 90
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- International Affairs
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-06: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51. Record Vote Number: 608. (consideration: CR S7958)
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-06T10:56:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This joint resolution aims to enforce congressional authority over military actions by directing the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from any hostilities in or against Venezuela unless explicitly authorized by Congress through a declaration of war or a specific law allowing military force (known as an Authorization for Use of Military Force, or AUMF).
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines six key points, including:
- Congress's exclusive constitutional power to declare war.
- No existing declaration of war or specific AUMF for actions in or against Venezuela.
- Current U.S. military activities, including CIA covert operations and troop buildups near Venezuela, suggest imminent involvement in hostilities (as defined under the War Powers Resolution, a 1973 law requiring the President to notify Congress of military actions and limiting unauthorized engagements).
- The need for a full congressional briefing, public debate, and vote before committing forces.
- Reference to expedited procedures for considering such resolutions under existing laws.
- Termination of Hostilities: Directs the President to end the use of U.S. forces for hostilities in or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. This invokes specific legal procedures for fast-tracking the resolution.
- Rule of Construction: Clarifies that the resolution does not prohibit the U.S. from defending itself against an armed attack or imminent threat.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Reinforces the War Powers Resolution by applying it specifically to Venezuela, mandating withdrawal from unauthorized actions.
- Utilizes expedited congressional procedures from the 1976 International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act and the 1984 Department of State Authorization Act, which allow quicker debate and voting on resolutions to end unauthorized military engagements—potentially bypassing standard legislative delays.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Limits the executive branch's (President, Department of Defense, and CIA) flexibility in conducting military or covert operations near or in Venezuela, requiring congressional approval for escalation.
- Citizens: Promotes greater transparency and democratic oversight of military decisions, potentially reducing risks of undeclared conflicts that could lead to U.S. casualties or economic costs.
- International Relations: Could de-escalate U.S.-Venezuela tensions by signaling no intent for unauthorized military involvement, but might strain alliances if perceived as weakening U.S. resolve against perceived threats from Venezuela.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Congress: Gains reinforced authority to control military engagements, with sponsors including Senators Tim Kaine, Rand Paul, and Adam Schiff.
- Executive Branch (President and Agencies): Faces restrictions on independent military actions, requiring justification or withdrawal.
- U.S. Armed Forces and CIA Personnel: Directly impacted by orders to terminate unauthorized operations, potentially affecting deployments in the region.
- Venezuelan Government and Citizens: Could reduce immediate military pressure from the U.S., influencing internal politics and regional stability.
- U.S. Taxpayers and Public: Involved through the push for debate and voting on foreign military policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Constitutional: Upholds Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution, which grants Congress sole power to declare war, potentially challenging executive claims of broad authority under past AUMFs or national security doctrines.
- Legal: Builds on the War Powers Resolution, which has been debated for decades; passage could set a precedent for applying it to specific countries, though presidents have historically resisted such limits through vetoes or interpretations.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan concerns (from the resolution's sponsors across parties) over unchecked executive power in foreign policy; if enacted, it might spark broader debates on U.S. interventionism in Latin America, especially amid Venezuela's political crisis, but faces potential veto or procedural hurdles in Congress.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (18)
Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-06: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51. Record Vote Number: 608. (consideration: CR S7958) (Roll call 608)
- 2025-11-06: Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations made. (Pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act of 1976). (consideration: CR S7945-7958)
- 2025-10-16: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2025-10-16: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress. — issued 2025-10-16 — PDF (4 pages)