119-sjres90

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 90 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
S. J. RES. 90

 To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities 
 within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 October 16, 2025

 Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Schiff) introduced the 
 following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the 
 Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

 JOINT RESOLUTION

 To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities 
 within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.

 Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

 Congress makes the following findings:

    (1) Congress has the sole power to declare war under 
 article I, 

section 8, clause 11 of the United States 
 Constitution.

    (2) Congress has not yet declared war upon Venezuela or any 
 person or organization within Venezuela, nor enacted a specific 
 statutory authorization for use of military force within or 
 against Venezuela.

    (3) United States Armed Forces actions within or against 
 Venezuela, within the meaning of 

section 4

    (a) of the War Powers 
 Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1543

    (a) ), are either hostilities or a 
 situation where imminent involvement in hostilities is clearly 
 indicated by the circumstances into which United States Armed 
 Forces have been introduced.

    (4) The publicly reported authorization for the Central 
 Intelligence Agency to conduct covert lethal operations within 
 Venezuela, the significant augmentation of United States Armed 
 Forces assets, personnel, and operations in proximity to 
 Venezuela, and statements from United States Government 
 officials regarding planning for ground strikes within 
 Venezuela indicate imminent involvement of United States Armed 
 Forces in hostilities within or against Venezuela.

    (5) The question of whether United States forces should be 
 engaged in hostilities within or against Venezuela should be 
 answered following a full briefing to Congress and the American 
 public of the issues at stake, a public debate in Congress, and 
 a congressional vote as contemplated by the Constitution.

    (6) Section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization 
 Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a) provides that 
 any joint resolution or bill to require the removal of United 
 States Armed Forces from imminent engagement in hostilities 
 without a declaration of war or specific statutory 
 authorization shall be considered in accordance with the 
 expedited procedures of 

section 601

    (b) of the International 
 Security and Arms Export Control Act of 1976.

SEC. 2. TERMINATION OF THE USE OF UNITED STATES FORCES FOR HOSTILITIES 
 WITHIN OR AGAINST VENEZUELA.

    (a) Termination.--Pursuant to 

section 1013 of the Department of 
State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a), 
and in accordance with the provisions of 

section 601

    (b) of the 
International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976, 
Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United 
States Armed Forces for hostilities within or against Venezuela, unless 
explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization 
for use of military force.

    (b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed to prevent the United States from defending itself from an 
armed attack or threat of an imminent armed attack.
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