H.Con.Res.68 — To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress
House Roll Call
H.Con.Res.68
| Bill | H.Con.Res.68 — To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress |
|---|---|
| Vote question | On Agreeing to the Resolution |
| Vote type | Yea-and-Nay |
| Result | Failed |
| Totals | Yea 215 / Nay 215 / Present 0 / Not Voting 1 |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| R | 2 | 215 | 0 | 1 |
| D | 213 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| I | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Research Brief
On Agreeing to the Resolution
Bill Analysis
H. Con. Res. 68 is a concurrent resolution, introduced under the War Powers Resolution, directing the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting Venezuela that have not been specifically authorized by Congress.
Substance and legal effect
- Declares that Congress has not authorized the introduction or maintenance of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities in or affecting Venezuela.
- Directs the President to remove such forces from Venezuela within a defined period (typically 30 days under War Powers practice, unless the text specifies otherwise), except for forces engaged solely in:
- Personnel protection of the U.S. Embassy and diplomatic facilities, or
- Evacuation of U.S. citizens and nationals.
- Reasserts Congress’s constitutional authority over war-making and its statutory powers under the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1541–1548).
Scope and limitations
- Applies only to U.S. “Armed Forces” involved in “hostilities” or situations where hostilities are clearly indicated, as those terms are used in the War Powers Resolution.
- Does not create or modify criminal penalties, sanctions regimes, or foreign assistance programs.
- Does not affect intelligence activities or purely diplomatic/military-to-military engagement that does not amount to hostilities.
Funding and authorities
- Contains no new spending, authorizations of appropriations, or mandatory cuts; it operates solely as a directive under existing War Powers authorities.
- Does not amend permanent law; as a concurrent resolution, it expresses and exercises Congress’s war-powers oversight but does not go to the President for signature.
Agencies and actors affected
- Primarily affects the Department of Defense and the President as Commander in Chief, by constraining continued deployment in or affecting Venezuela.
- Indirectly affects the Department of State regarding embassy security and evacuation planning.
Beneficiaries and regulated parties
- U.S. service members, by limiting unauthorized combat exposure.
- Congress, by reinforcing its role in authorizing hostilities.
- Venezuelan territory and population, indirectly, by restricting U.S. military involvement absent explicit authorization.
Procedural status
- The House agreed by unanimous consent to a special order of procedure allowing H. Con. Res. 68 to be called up with one hour of debate, equally divided among designated Members, and an immediate vote without further motions.
Yea (215)
J
Jason Crow
L
Lloyd Doggett
J
John Garamendi
J
John Mannion
L
Lucy McBath
E
Eric Swalwell
R
Rashida Tlaib
N
Nydia Velázquez
D
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Nay (215)
K
Ken Calvert
S
Scott Franklin
L
Lisa McClain
J
John Rutherford
D
David Schweikert
P
Pete Sessions
