S.J.Res. 90

[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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