Sponsors (10)
Stops DoD and other federal funds from being used for hostilities with respect to Venezuela unless Congress later authorizes or a War Powers Resolution authorization applies.
The bill shifts control of any new hostilities with Venezuela to Congress—reducing the risk of open-ended military engagement and preserving self-defense and humanitarian activities, but at the cost of slower operational response, greater political delay, and some legal uncertainty for commanders.
Taxpayers — the bill bars use of funds for hostilities against Venezuela without a new congressional authorization, reducing the risk of open-ended or prolonged U.S. military engagements and unexpected costs to taxpayers.
Members of Congress — the bill preserves congressional control over decisions to use force by requiring a specific post-enactment statutory authorization or an authorization consistent with the War Powers Resolution.
U.S. military personnel — the bill explicitly preserves their inherent self-defense authority, allowing forces to protect themselves from armed attacks or imminent attacks.
Military personnel and taxpayers — by prohibiting funds for hostilities absent new congressional authorization, the bill can limit rapid military responses to emergent threats involving Venezuela, potentially slowing protection of U.S. interests.
Congress and national decision-making — requiring a new authorization for operations could increase political friction and delays during crises, making timely action harder.
Military commanders and personnel — a narrow definition of permitted 'counternarcotics' and a broad definition of 'hostilities' may create legal uncertainty about what operations are allowed, complicating planning and execution.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Official title: Prohibit the unauthorized use of United States Armed Forces in hostilities with respect to Venezuela.
Introduced December 4, 2025 by Jeff Merkley · Last progress December 4, 2025
Prohibits use of Department of Defense or other federal funds to conduct hostilities with respect to Venezuela unless Congress later enacts a specific authorization or a War Powers Resolution authorization applies. The bill preserves limited exceptions for defending the United States or U.S. personnel, lawful counternarcotics operations that do not amount to hostilities, and provision of humanitarian assistance, and it defines “hostilities” to include any use of lethal or potentially lethal force by U.S. forces (including remotely deployed force).