Sponsors (31)
Introduced December 3, 2025 by Timothy Michael Kaine · Last progress December 3, 2025
The bill strengthens congressional control and oversight to prevent open‑ended U.S. military involvement (notably vs. Venezuela) while trading off faster, more flexible executive action — which could produce delays, operational uncertainty for troops, and increased political friction.
All Americans — clarifies and reinforces that Congress (not the President) holds primary constitutional authority to declare war, strengthening legislative oversight and checks on military engagement.
Service members and the public — affirms that introducing U.S. forces into hostilities triggers War Powers Resolution procedures (reporting and congressional review), increasing transparency and formal oversight of ongoing hostilities.
U.S. forces and service members — ends open‑ended participation in hostilities in or against Venezuela absent explicit congressional authorization, reducing the risk of extended, unauthorized deployments.
Military personnel and national decisionmakers — the bill could constrain the President's ability to authorize rapid or limited military responses, delaying actions in time‑sensitive crises and potentially endangering U.S. forces or interests.
Congress, the public, and taxpayers — requiring explicit congressional authorization may increase legislative–executive conflict and partisan delays over use‑of‑force decisions, consuming time and political capital and slowing responses to evolving threats.
Troops and mission planners — an immediate termination/stop‑participation directive (e.g., vs. Venezuela) could create operational uncertainty, complicating ongoing missions, logistics, and partnerships if not clearly coordinated with commanders.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires the President to end U.S. military hostilities in or against Venezuela unless Congress declares war or enacts a specific authorization, while preserving self-defense rights.
Directs the President to stop using U.S. Armed Forces for hostilities within or against Venezuela unless Congress has declared war or passed a specific statutory authorization for such military action. The measure reiterates that Congress has not declared war on Venezuela and invokes statutory War Powers procedures, while preserving the right of the United States to act in self-defense against an armed or imminent armed attack.