October 21, 2025 - Washington, D.C. —  U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) has joined Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to introduce a War Powers Resolution that would block the use of U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela, following reporting that the Trump administration is considering land strikes inside that country. 

“The Trump administration has made it clear they may launch military action inside Venezuela’s borders, and won’t stop at boat strikes in the Caribbean,”said Senator Schiff. “In recent weeks we have seen increasingly concerning movements and reporting that undermine claims that this is merely about stopping drug smugglers. Congress has not authorized military force against Venezuela. And we must assert our authority to stop the United States from being dragged—intentionally or accidentally—into full-fledged war in South America.” 

Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)

“I’m extremely troubled that the Trump administration is considering launching illegal military strikes inside Venezuela without a specific authorization by Congress. Americans don’t want to send their sons and daughters into more wars—especially wars that carry a serious risk of significant destabilization and massive new waves of migration in our hemisphere,” said Senator Kaine. “If my colleagues disagree and think a war with Venezuela is a good idea, they need to meet their constitutional obligations by making their case to the American people and passing an Authorization for Use of Military Force. I urge every senator to join us in stopping this administration from dragging our country into an unauthorized and escalating military conflict.” 

“The American people do not want to be dragged into endless war with Venezuela without public debate or a vote. We ought to defend what the Constitution demands: deliberation before war,” said Senator Paul. 

War Powers Resolutions are privileged, meaning that the Senate will be required to promptly consider and vote upon the resolution. 

Today’s resolution comes shortly after Schiff and Kaine introduced a similar measure focused on repeated and ongoing strikes in the southern Caribbean Sea that the Trump administration has carried out without congressional authorization, killing dozens of unknown individuals. That measure gained bipartisan support but fell two votes short of passage. 

Full text of the legislation is available here. 

Source: Senator Adam Schiff