[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 200 (Monday, December 1, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8409-S8410]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               VENEZUELA

  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, now on Venezuela, Donald Trump has turned 
the Caribbean into a dangerous tinder box. Today, we have more troops 
off the coast of South America than we have had in decades. U.S. forces 
have struck at least 20 alleged drug boats with zero independent 
evidence, no transparency, and no concrete legal justification.
  On Saturday, Donald Trump proclaimed that the airspace above and 
surrounding Venezuela to be closed in its entirety. What does this 
mean? We have no clue because Donald Trump said a few hours later not 
to ``read anything into it.''

[[Page S8410]]

  The erraticness of his foreign policy is dangerous in itself--saying 
one thing one day and one thing the next. So Americans are right to 
wonder, what on Earth is Donald Trump planning in Venezuela? Is Donald 
Trump nudging America into another war? Is he seeking regime change for 
Maduro? Will he put U.S. troops in harm's way? Nobody knows. All we 
have is a bunch of contradictory statements from Trump.
  Donald Trump seems to be planning a war totally in secret--without 
congressional authorization, without any transparency, without any 
explanation for what his goals even are. And all it takes--all it 
takes--is one mistake, one miscalculation, one lapse in judgment from 
either side, and suddenly our troops could find themselves in armed 
conflict with Venezuela. Lives could be lost. American security could 
suffer.
  So I want to be very, very clear. If Donald Trump proceeds with his 
plan to conduct strikes against Venezuela, Senators Kaine, Paul, and I 
will immediately file a War Powers Resolution to force congressional 
action to block the use of troops in Venezuela. The power to declare 
war lies in the hands of Congress, and we intend to exert that 
authority should the need arise.
  Now, I urge my Republican colleagues to work with us to advance this 
resolution if it becomes necessary because the thought of another 
forever war makes Americans sick to their stomachs. Americans are tired 
of seeing troops bogged down in one country after another. Americans do 
not want a pointless war in Venezuela.
  Donald Trump does not have the authority to send our troops into 
harm's way without authorization from Congress. Should Donald Trump 
proceed, the Senate will immediately respond. Should a strike occur, we 
will force a debate in Congress and force a vote to prevent the U.S. 
troops from being in hostilities against Venezuela. Our troops' safety 
and our national security are at stake.
  I urge both sides to stand ready to assert the powers of Congress on 
matters of war and peace should the need arise because the rules of the 
Congress allow us to require a vote on this issue should the need 
arise.

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