Senate Republicans Block Merkley’s Bill to Prevent War with Venezuela

Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of his Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025, which would block federal funds from being used for military actions in Venezuela:

"As the Constitution so clearly says, Congress has the power to declare war-not the President. We must not stand by while Donald Trump prepares to wage war without authorization. Yet, Senate Republicans once again chose to rubber-stamp Trump's agenda, trampling our Constitution in the process.

"Certainly, Nicolás Maduro is a brutal dictator, but that does not give Trump a blank check for launching a war. Congress must reassert its constitutional responsibility. I'll keep fighting for this body to exercise its authority over the decision to go to war, regardless of who is in the White House."

On Wednesday, Merkley took to the Senate Floor in an attempt to pass his Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025, legislation he leads with Virginia's U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, that would prohibit the use of federal funds for any use of military force in or against Venezuela without explicit Congressional authorization. Merkley's bill does not prevent the United States from acting to defend itself or its citizens from an armed attack or threat of an imminent armed attack, pursue lawful counternarcotics operations, or provide humanitarian assistance to the Venezuelan people.

The Prohibiting Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025 is also co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Andy Kim (D-NJ).

Full text of the Unauthorized Military Action in Venezuela Act of 2025 can be found by clicking here.

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