In a move that reignites the debate over the limits of presidential power in wartime, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar has introduced a resolution before the 119th U.S. Congress aimed at mandating the immediate withdrawal of Armed Forces from unauthorized operations against Venezuela and transnational criminal networks.
A leaked draft of the resolution H. Con. Res. 1, championed by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, has put a spotlight on the recent military actions of the United States in the Caribbean and against transnational criminal organizations. The text invokes the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution to demand that the Executive withdraw Armed Forces from “unauthorized hostilities” in the absence of explicit Congressional mandate.
The document states that “illegal drug trafficking does not constitute an armed attack” that justifies military intervention under current U.S. law. In this context, it emphasizes that there is neither a declaration of war nor a specific legislative authorization to operate against Venezuela or certain cartels, despite recent targeted bombings and the repositioning of U.S. warships in the Caribbean.
“It is Congress, not the President, which possesses the constitutional power to declare war,” the resolution underscores, clarifying that foreign policy must adhere to the limits imposed by the Constitution.
If approved, the measure would require the President to end the use of military forces in these operations within a specified timeframe, unless Congress votes and approves a subsequent formal authorization. The proposal emerges against a backdrop of rising regional tensions and allegations that anti-drug operations might be used as a pretext for military actions without legislative oversight.
Political analysts interpret the initiative as a direct clash between the Legislative and Executive branches over control of national security and foreign policy. It also reflects a growing bipartisan concern about the expansive and unilateral use of military power, particularly in situations where drug trafficking and regional politics intersect.
The War Powers Resolution, passed in 1973 following the Vietnam War, limits the use of armed forces without Congressional authorization. However, presidents from both parties have interpreted its provisions flexibly, leading to military operations without prior legislative vote.
The resolution presented by Omar marks a new front in the debate over war powers in the U.S., reopening discussions about the balance between national security, foreign policy, and the respect for democratic processes in military decision-making.