Rep Panetta Statement on Administration's Actions in Venezuela

As the repressive leader of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro was cruel, inhumane, and undemocratic. However, President Trump did not present any credible evidence that Maduro was an imminent threat to justify a large-scale military intervention by the United States under our Constitution. Moreover, President Trump has yet to provide the American people with a coherent strategy for the day after and how we prevent Venezuela from descending into chaos and destabilizing the region.

Today's actions do nothing to make our country safer, nor do they address the concerns of Americans when it comes to reducing the costs of healthcare, housing, food, fuel, family care, and more. In fact, today's actions directed by the President are directly against what he campaigned on, especially when it comes to not dragging us in to further foreign wars.

Over a month ago, several of my colleagues and I (all who served in the military) introduced the No Unauthorized Force in Venezuela Act to prevent the U.S. from engaging in this type of unauthorized conflict and disregard of the U.S. Constitution. Not only should Congress vote on our bill, the Administration must immediately brief us on this operation and its objectives, as many questions remain unanswered for the American People.