S.J.Res. 98

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 98 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]

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Calendar No. 298
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. J. RES. 98

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

December 3, 2025

Mr. Kaine (for himself, Mr. Paul, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Gallego, 
Mr. Merkley, Mr. Schatz, Mr. Welch, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. 
Blumenthal, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Wyden, Ms. Rosen, Mr. Markey, 
Ms. Hirono, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Alsobrooks, Mr. Booker, Mrs. Gillibrand, 
Mr. Lujan, Ms. Baldwin, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Kim, Mr. Heinrich, Mr. 
Coons, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Peters, Mr. Padilla, and Ms. Cantwell) 
introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and 
referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

January 8 (legislative day, January 7), 2026

Committee discharged, by motion, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1546a, and 
placed on the calendar

_______________________________________________________________________

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 declared war upon Venezuela or any 
person or organization within or operating from Venezuela, nor 
enacted a specific statutory authorization for use of military 
force within or against Venezuela.
(3) The use of military force by the United States Armed 
Forces within or against Venezuela constitutes the introduction 
of United States Armed Forces into hostilities within the 
meaning of section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 
1543(a)).
(4) 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.

Calendar No. 298

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. J. RES. 98

_______________________________________________________________________

JOINT RESOLUTION

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

_______________________________________________________________________

January 8 (legislative day, January 7), 2026

Committee discharged, by motion, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1546a, and 
placed on the calendar