Democrats file war powers resolution to prevent Trump from attacking Cuba without approval
by Ellen Mitchell - 03/13/26 10:53 AM ET
Senate Democrats have filed legislation that would stop the U.S. from going to war with Cuba without congressional approval as President Trump has threatened a “takeover” of the country.
Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine (Va.), Ruben Gallego (Ariz.) and Adam Schiff (Calif.) on Thursday filed the war powers resolution, which could receive a vote by the end of the month.
The resolution comes as Trump has said the U.S. could carry out a “friendly” or “not friendly takeover” of Cuba, predicting the collapse of the 67-year communist rule under pressure from the U.S.
“Only Congress has the power to declare war under the Constitution, but [Trump] operates with the belief that the U.S. military is a palace guard, ordering military action in the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Iran without Congress’ authorization or any explanation for his actions to the American people,” Kaine said in a statement to The Hill. “We shouldn’t risk our sons and daughters’ lives at the whims of any one person.”
Democrats have repeatedly used war powers resolutions to try to limit or curtail Trump’s attacks on countries including Venezuela and Iran. So far, Republicans have mostly backed the president, with no such legislation passing.
Democrats have already filed five different resolutions directing the administration to remove U.S. troops from military hostilities against Iran, and they plan to force Republicans to repeatedly debate and vote on the conflict on the Senate floor unless they agree to hold public hearings on the conflict.
A resolution sponsored by Kaine to halt military action in Iran failed last week in a vote that fell largely along party lines.
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https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5782836-war-powers-resolution-cuba/