In a rare moment of unity on Capitol Hill, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., teamed up with three Democrat senators Wednesday to introduce a War Powers Resolution aimed at stopping the Biden administration from launching military action against Venezuela without congressional approval.
Just one day earlier in the House, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., joined two Democrats in filing a companion resolution with the same goal: blocking any U.S. military engagement “within or against Venezuela” unless Congress explicitly authorizes it.
The bipartisan push comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s recent warning declaring the airspace “above and surrounding Venezuela” closed, part of a broader effort to pressure socialist dictator Nicolás Maduro, whose regime has plunged the country into economic ruin and regional instability. The U.S. has simultaneously increased its military presence in the Caribbean to crack down on South American drug trafficking.
Because no U.S. forces have yet entered hostilities in Venezuela, the War Powers Resolution’s 15-day fast-track clock isn’t triggered. That procedural countdown only begins once a president submits a formal War Powers report after initiating military action.
Paul emphasized that the American public deserves transparency and debate before the U.S. enters another foreign conflict.
“The American people do not want to be dragged into endless war with Venezuela without public debate or a vote,” Paul said. “We ought to defend what the Constitution demands: deliberation before war.”
Joining Paul on the Senate resolution were Democrat leaders Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Tim Kaine, D-Va.
In the House, Massie’s resolution was co-sponsored by Reps. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, and Jim McGovern, D-Mass.
Massie underscored the constitutional guardrails around war powers:
“The Constitution does not permit the executive branch to unilaterally commit an act of war against a sovereign nation that hasn’t attacked the United States,” he said. “Congress has the sole power to declare war. Congress must decide such matters according to our Constitution.”
Schumer echoed the sentiment, warning against reckless engagements abroad:
“There is nothing ‘America First’ about sending U.S. troops into danger for a mission the administration cannot justify, cannot explain, and has no legal authority to launch.”
A War Powers Resolution gives Congress authority to block the president from initiating hostilities without congressional approval. But because these initiatives are joint resolutions, they would still need the support of both chambers of Congress—and President Trump’s signature—or a veto-proof majority to become law.
And in today’s sharply divided political climate, assembling such a supermajority is no small feat.
