Washington, D.C. – The Friends Committee on National Legislation applauds today’s vote in the Senate to advance a bipartisan war powers resolution, S.J.Res.98, to direct the removal of U.S. troops from hostilities in or against Venezuela.
This war powers vote comes just days after the United States’ illegal invasion of Venezuela and kidnapping of President Nicholas Maduro, which killed over 80 people.
We are grateful to Senators Tim Kaine (VA), Rand Paul (KY), Chuck Schumer (NY), and Adam Schiff (CA) for leading this urgent effort to rein in President Trump’s reckless and unjust abuse of military force. Particularly in this moment of extreme partisan polarization, we are heartened that five Republican senators (Senators Rand Paul (KY), Susan Collins (ME), Josh Hawley (MO), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Todd Young (IN)) joined all Democrats to take a principled stance in defense of Congress’s constitutional war powers.
“Today’s vote is an important step to steer us away from a costly, endless war.”
FCNL’s legislative director of foreign policy Heather Brandon-Smith weighed in, “Congress is rising to the occasion by reasserting its war powers in the face of an increasingly militaristic approach to our neighbors in Latin America and the president’s broad overreach of executive power. U.S. military actions in the Caribbean Sea, in the Pacific Ocean, and now in Venezuela are illegal under U.S. and international law. Today’s vote is an important step to steer us away from a costly, endless war.”
Congress must now stay the course, with more votes on this resolution —and several more bills to check the president’s militarism—to come. Last night, Representatives Jim McGovern (MA-2) and Thomas Massie (KY-4) introduced a similar, bipartisan war powers resolution, H.Con.Res.68, which could be voted on within the month. Join FCNL’s advocacy for these measures!
“We will remain steadfast in our advocacy. Peace is only possible through peaceful means.”
FCNL General Secretary Bridget Moix commended the crucial role of grassroots activists in building support for peace. “Today’s advancement of a war powers resolution is a huge testament to our grassroots power and capability,” she said. “With thousands of us persistently acting, we are encouraged that both Democratic and Republican senators heard our message that ‘War is not the answer.’ We will remain steadfast in our advocacy. Peace is only possible through peaceful means.”