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Friends , very big news out of the Senate today:
In a bipartisan vote, my legislation to direct the removal of U.S. hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress was advanced to the next step towards passage.
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This is a win in our fight to combat President Trump’s most reckless and dangerous abuses of power.
Let me be very clear: I do not challenge, nor does my War Powers Resolution challenge, the execution of a valid arrest warrant against Nicolas Maduro. Arresting Maduro and bringing him to justice in the United States will be good for America and good for Venezuela.
But the President’s claim that the U.S. will run Venezuela for years makes it clear that his plans go way beyond Maduro.
That means Congress needs a say — and that’s what my War Powers Resolution is about. If you agree we shouldn’t go to war without a debate and vote by Congress, add your name here to support my legislation now. [[link removed]]
Already more than 200 people have been killed. U.S. troops have been injured. Two are still hospitalized. And it’s been made clear this will go on for a long period of time —the seizure of oil will go on, and the demands of terms about elections and the politics of Venezuela will go on.
But going forward, U.S. troops should not be used in hostilities in Venezuela without a vote of Congress — as the Constitution requires .
Another thing I want to make abundantly clear is that this legislation does not in itself say we can’t go to war with Venezuela. What it says is that Trump can’t unilaterally do that without the constitutionally-mandated approval of Congress.
Congress passes thousands of votes, even in a single term of the Senate, and there will inevitably be things that we look back on and say to ourselves, maybe we should have done this differently . The most likely vote to bring about such regret is a vote on matters of war.
But here is something I can guarantee you: No one has ever regretted a vote that just says, “Mr. President, before you send our sons and daughters to war, come to Congress.”
That is a vote that no one has ever regretted, and no one will ever regret.
So to my Senate colleagues, I say this: enough is enough. You were sent here to stand up for your constituents with courage and conviction. That means no war without a debate and vote in Congress.
When my War Powers Resolution continues to advance toward a final passage vote next week, I urge every one of my fellow Senators in the strongest possible terms to show that courage and do what is right.
Until then, I’m asking for your help in this. A groundswell of public support can have a significant impact on what happens here in Congress. So before the Senate votes on this legislation to block illegal war, will you add your name to support it?
Click here to sign on in support of my War Powers Resolution. [[link removed]]
SIGN THE PETITION [[link removed]]
Thank you for reading and for speaking out on this critical issue.
—Tim Kaine
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