Kaine, Schiff, and Gallego Slam Senate Republican Blocking of Cuba War Powers Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) slammed Senate Republicans for blocking their War Powers Resolution to prevent the use of the U.S. military to launch a new war against Cuba. President Donald Trump has already ordered an illegal military blockade of Cuba that is causing a man-made humanitarian crisis on the island, and continues to threaten direct military action. While speaking at a conference in Miami in March, President Trump stated that "Cuba is next."

"President Trump ordered the U.S. military to attack Venezuela and Iran with no congressional authorization and little benefit to our national security. The oppressive Venezuelan and Iranian regimes are still in place, and now he's threatening to run the same bizarre play in Cuba," said Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. "It's crazy that my colleagues continue to rubber stamp the Trump-Vance Administration's costly and unnecessary wars around the world even though their constituents are begging them to focus on lowering prices here at home. How is any of this 'America First'?"

"The American people have been clear. They do not want any more costly wars of choice that skyrocket prices at home," said Schiff. "But Donald Trump has bypassed Congress's sole authority to declare war with attacks on Iran and Venezuela. And now the president's saber rattling toward Cuba makes clear where his sights are next. Congress must act. If we don't, we risk involvement in another risky war of choice and losing our constitutionally granted authorities forever."

"The American people are not asking for another war. They want us focused on building housing in Arizona - not bombing housing in Havana. They want us to lower the cost of healthcare - not condemn a generation of veterans to a lifetime of hospital visits. They want us to make their lives more affordable - not spend their tax dollars on unnecessary wars," said Senator Gallego. "This resolution was supposed to make it clear that there's no more bypassing Congress. If military force is necessary, then Trump and Rubio need to come to Congress and make their case in full view of the American public and let the country decide if it's really America's best interest. It's not."

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