On December 2, members of the US Congress stated that if President Trump were to launch military action against Venezuela, they would initiate procedures under the War Powers Resolution to force a congressional vote.
The War Powers Resolution, established in the US after the Vietnam War, requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of deploying military forces for hostilities. Without congressional authorization for the use of military force (AUMF) or an official declaration of war by the US, armed forces cannot remain deployed for more than 60 days, with an additional 30 days permitted solely for withdrawal.
Although Article 2 of the US Constitution designates the president as commander-in-chief, the authority to declare war remains with Congress.
Democratic Senators Tim Kaine, Chuck Schumer, and Adam Schiff, along with Republican Senator Rand Paul, stressed in a joint statement that “Unauthorized military action against Venezuela would be a colossal and costly mistake that needlessly risks the lives of our servicemembers.”
They further stated, “Should a strike occur, we will call up a War Powers Resolution to force a debate and vote in Congress that would block the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against or within Venezuela.”
Three House members, including Jim McGovern, also submitted a similar resolution.
A War Powers Resolution can pass both chambers of Congress with a simple majority.
Although such a resolution can be vetoed by the US president, overriding the veto requires a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House.
