Democratic Senators Adam Schiff of California and Tim Kaine of Virginia are advocating for a vote this week on a resolution aimed at restricting U.S. military actions against vessels near Venezuela. The resolution seeks to prevent military strikes targeting boats accused of smuggling drugs into the United States, a strategy previously endorsed by the Trump administration. According to sources, including Schiff’s spokesperson, this initiative follows a recent military strike that the Pentagon reported resulted in the deaths of four individuals described as “narco-terrorists.”
The proposed resolution is grounded in the War Powers Act and reflects concerns that unilateral military action could escalate tensions. Schiff stated, “Congress alone holds the power to declare war. While we share with the executive branch the imperative of preventing and deterring drugs from reaching our shores, blowing up boats without any legal justification risks dragging the United States into another war and provoking unjustified hostilities against our own citizens.”
The urgency of this resolution stems from the U.S. military’s ongoing operations. As of now, there have been four military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean Sea, which the administration claims are linked to drug cartels. The White House reports that these operations have resulted in 21 fatalities. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the latest strike occurred in international waters and involved a boat affiliated with a designated terrorist organization operating within the U.S. Southern Command’s jurisdiction.
In a statement made on social media platform X, Hegseth emphasized that the intelligence confirming narcotics trafficking was unequivocal. He noted, “These strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over.” The Pentagon has asserted that no U.S. military personnel were harmed during the most recent operation.
The backdrop to this military engagement includes a declaration by former President Donald Trump, who recently announced a state of war against drug cartels, classifying them as terrorist organizations. In a speech to U.S. service members aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, Trump remarked, “In recent weeks, the Navy has supported our mission to blow the cartel terrorists the hell out of the water.” He added, “You can’t find any [boats] in the water anymore. We’re having a hard time finding them.”
As the resolution progresses through Congress, observers note that it may struggle to gain traction in the GOP-controlled House and Senate. Nonetheless, it serves to formally record lawmakers’ positions on this contentious issue. With the ongoing military strikes and the complex relationship between U.S. foreign policy and drug trafficking, the implications of this legislative effort could be significant for future military engagements and congressional authority.
