As the House prepares for crucial floor votes this week, prominent members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are calling on their colleagues to support two resolutions aimed at preventing President Donald Trump from initiating unauthorized military action against Venezuela. Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Chuy García (D-Ill.), who serve as the deputy chair and whip of the caucus, respectively, expressed the urgency of this measure, emphasizing the Constitution’s mandate regarding war powers.
“Every US representative will face a simple, up-or-down choice on the House floor this week: Will you stand up for the Constitution and vote to stop Trump’s illegal warmaking or not?” stated Omar and García. They highlighted that a substantial majority of Americans, including two-thirds of Republicans, oppose a regime-change war intended to overthrow the Venezuelan government.
The lawmakers warned that Trump’s aggressive posturing and military moves, such as the recent bombings and the seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker, are steering the U.S. toward a potential “catastrophic forever war” in Venezuela. In response, they are pushing for the passage of two key resolutions: H.Con.Res. 61 and H.Con.Res. 64.
The first resolution, spearheaded by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), mandates the withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere, unless Congress officially declares war or grants specific authorization for military force. Meanwhile, the second resolution, introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), explicitly aims to bar any direct military actions against Venezuela without congressional approval.
“Congress hereby directs the president to remove the use of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela,” the latter resolution stipulates, spotlighting the bipartisan backing it has received from Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.).
Omar and García called for a united congressional front, urging both parties to convey a clear message to the Trump administration: offensive military force must receive congressional authorization, underscoring that it is not solely within the president’s prerogative. They reiterated concerns over escalating tensions, warning that such illegal hostilities could destabilize the entire region and exacerbate issues related to mass migration.
The upcoming votes present lawmakers with an opportunity not only to uphold constitutional principles but also to affirm a commitment to diplomatic resolution over military intervention, fostering hope for a future in which conflicts are resolved through dialogue rather than force.