Bill · S.J.Res. 90· Senate(119-SJRES-90)
A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.
- Introduced
- 10/16/2025
- Last activity
- 11/6/2025 — Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51. Record Vote Number: 608. (consideration: CR S7958)
- Sponsored by
- Timothy Kaine
- Cosponsors
- - 16 - 1
- Introduced
What this bill would do
This joint resolution directs the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela. It states that Congress has not yet declared war or enacted specific statutory authorization for military force in that region. The resolution notes that current actions indicate imminent involvement in hostilities. It calls for a full briefing to Congress and the American public before such engagement occurs. Ultimately, it directs the President to terminate the use of forces unless authorized by a declaration of war or specific statutory authority.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+7
The bill requires a full briefing to Congress and the American public before any engagement in hostilities occurs.
Does this reduce what is spent on the military?+5
The resolution directs the termination of unauthorized military hostilities, which reduces active military engagements.
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?+4
Limiting unauthorized hostilities may reduce the likelihood of service members being deployed into active conflict.
The opposite
Does this give the federal government more power?-5
The resolution shifts power away from the President's unilateral authority and back to Congress's constitutional power to declare war.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
None of them settled the bill — every vote so far has been about whether to keep going.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Congressional Oversight: The resolution seeks to ensure that the question of engaging in hostilities is answered through a full briefing to Congress and the American public, as well as public debate and a vote (Section 1, Finding 5).
-
Restoration of Constitutional Authority: It asserts that Congress has the sole power to declare war and directs the President to end unauthorized hostilities, bringing military actions under the specific authorization required by the Constitution (Section 1, Finding 1; Section 2, subsection a).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Potential Gap in Defense: The resolution includes a rule of construction stating that nothing in the text shall prevent the United States from defending itself from an armed attack or a threat of an imminent armed attack (Section 2, subsection b).
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
- Reduces Military Spending+5Improves International Alliances+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Veterans+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+7Increases Federal Power-5
- 11/6/2025
- Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations made. (Pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act of 1976). (consideration: CR S7945-7958)
- Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 49 - 51. Record Vote Number: 608. (consideration: CR S7958)
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 11/5/2025
- 13 Cosponsors added.
- 10/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Richard DurbinDemocrat · Illinois
Tammy DuckworthDemocrat · Illinois
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Rand PaulRepublican · Kentucky
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont