Kaine, Schiff & Gallego Introduce War Powers Resolution for Cuba
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) introduced a War Powers Resolution to ensure any U.S. participation in hostilities against Cuba is explicitly authorized by Congress. The resolution is privileged and may be called up for a vote after 10 days. President Trump has engaged in a military blockade of Cuba, and has recently threatened direct military action against Cuba. He has said that the U.S. would “take care of Cuba” and suggested Cuba would “fall soon” and should make a deal “before it is too late.”
“When will President Trump understand that Americans want lower prices, not more unnecessary wars? Only Congress has the power to declare war under the Constitution, but he operates with the belief that the U.S. military is a palace guard, ordering military action in the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Iran without Congress’ authorization or any explanation for his actions to the American people,” said Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. “We shouldn’t risk our sons and daughters’ lives at the whims of any one person. After President Trump’s recent blockade and threats of military action in Cuba, I’m introducing this War Powers Resolution to prevent our Armed Forces from engaging in hostilities unless authorized by Congress.”
“The American people have spoken loud and clear that they do not want any more costly wars of choice that skyrocket prices at home,” said Schiff. “Instead, Donald Trump has bypassed Congress’s sole authority to declare war with attacks on Iran and Venezuela, and at the solemn cost of seven servicemembers whose lives have been lost. The president’s saber rattling toward Cuba makes clear where his sights are next. Congress must make its voice heard, or we risk involvement in another risky war of choice and losing our constitutionally granted authorities forever.”
“As if the disaster of the Iran War and the resulting spike in oil prices weren’t enough, Trump is now threatening to intervene in Cuba as well,” said Gallego. “He ran on America First, but now it’s clear he’s become a puppet of the war hawks in his party. The American people want nothing to do with nation building—they want lower prices, good health care, and affordable homes, not a new war to satisfy neoconservatives in South Florida.”
Full text of the resolution is available here.
###