Members of both parties delivered a powerful condemnation of the President’s unauthorized military actions in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, released the following statement after the Senate’s bipartisan vote to advance a War Powers Act Resolution, legislation cosponsored by Senator Welch, to block President Trump from further unauthorized military actions in Venezuela: 

“Maduro may be in jail where he belongs, but his corrupt and abusive government remains intact. This costly and dangerous military operation was for one purpose only: to seize control of Venezuela’s oil. Invading Venezuela may benefit American oil companies, whose CEOs are among Trump’s largest financial donors, but it won’t help Americans who are struggling to afford groceries, rent, and health care.

“President Trump’s illegal military actions in Venezuela are in direct violation of the Constitution. It’s long past time for my colleagues across the aisle to stand up to Trump’s abuse of power. Congress must stop ceding our constitutional responsibility to an out-of-control White House.” 

Senator Welch has urged Congress to reassert its constitutional authority and pass new bipartisan legislation to prohibit the unauthorized use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities in Venezuela. On Wednesday, the Senator spoke on the Senate floor criticizing the Administration’s illegal military actions and condemned President Trump’s unauthorized use of military force to attack Venezuela: 

“What about this operation is ‘America First?’ It might be Trump First, or it might be Chevron First. But it’s not America First. And we just saw the revelation that a major donor to President Trump—bought at bargain-basement prices, a Chevron subsidiary—can stand to make literally billions of dollars…We have an obligation to protect our constitutional role—and it’s not about us. It’s about our country. And what is a greater responsibility than the decision to send men and women into combat? That’s our job.” 

In October, Senator Welch voted alongside bipartisan Senators in support of a War Powers Act Resolution led by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) to stop Trump’s unconstitutional attacks in the Caribbean Sea and urged the Senate to reassert its Constitutional authority to decide when to authorize an act of war. Senator Welch also led every Senate Judiciary Committee Democrat in demanding answers from the Department of Justice about the legality of military actions ordered by President Trump that have now killed around 115 people in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.    

Read and download the full text of the resolution led by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). 

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