[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S.J. Res. 98 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






119th CONGRESS
  1st 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, 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 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.
                                 <all>