Bill · S. 3344· Senate(119-S-3344)
Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 12/4/2025
- Last activity
- 12/4/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- Sponsored by
- Jeff Merkley
- Cosponsors
- - 8 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025," aims to stop the unauthorized use of U.S. military forces in hostilities involving Venezuela. It prohibits using funds from the Department of Defense or any other government agency for such hostilities. The only exceptions allow for military action if there is a specific statutory authorization passed after this Act or a congressional authorization following the War Powers Resolution. The bill defines hostilities as any use of lethal or potentially lethal force, including remote deployment. It also clarifies that these restrictions do not prevent self-defense, the protection of U.S. personnel, counternarcotics operations, or humanitarian aid.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this favour talking over confrontation abroad?+2
By restricting unilateral military action, the bill favors diplomatic and statutory processes over unauthorized hostilities.
Does this reduce what is spent on the military?+1
The bill prohibits the use of funds for military hostilities in Venezuela without explicit congressional authorization.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+1
The bill aims to prevent unauthorized military conflicts, which can reduce the exposure of service members to hostilities.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-1
The bill limits the executive branch's ability to deploy military force without specific congressional statutory authorization.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prevents Unauthorized Hostilities: By prohibiting the use of funds for hostilities without specific statutory or congressional authorization, the bill limits the ability of the government to engage in conflict in Venezuela (Section 2(a)).
-
Allows for Humanitarian Aid: The bill ensures that the United States can still provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Venezuela (Section 2(b)(4)).
-
Maintains Security Operations: The bill allows for continued lawful counternarcotics operations that do not constitute hostilities (Section 2(b)(3)).
-
Protects National Defense: The rules allow the U.S. to act in self-defense against armed attacks or threats of imminent attacks, as well as to defend U.S. Armed Forces and personnel (Section 2(b)(1) and (2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Military Action: The bill prohibits the use of funds for any situation involving lethal or potentially lethal force, including remote deployment, unless specific legal exceptions are met (Section 2(a) and Section 2(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves Diplomatic Engagement+2Reduces Military Spending+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+1
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power-1
- 12/16/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 4 Cosponsors added.
- 12/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont