U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued remarks ahead of the Senate’s vote on S.J.Res.98, known as the Kaine War Powers Resolution regarding Venezuela. In his statement, McConnell addressed the origins and intent of the War Powers Act, which has been in effect for over 50 years.
McConnell stated, “The War Powers Act is not the law I would have written, and there are reasonable questions about its constitutionality. But it’s been the law now for over 50 years. And it’s important to remember what it was designed to prevent… and, even more importantly, what it wasn’t.”
He recalled that the legislation was created in 1973 to avoid large-scale, indefinite U.S. military commitments abroad but maintained that it left room for presidents to use limited military force when necessary. According to McConnell, “The law grants presidents clear authority for the limited use of military force.” He argued that Congress has rarely succeeded in restricting presidential authority through such resolutions.
Referring specifically to recent events involving Venezuela and President Biden’s decision to take action against Nicolas Maduro, McConnell said: “The President was well within this authority in his decision to bring Nicolas Maduro to justice.” He cited compliance with statutory requirements such as congressional notification and withdrawal timelines and pointed out precedents from past administrations involving similar uses of force.
“You don’t have to agree with a president’s approach to national security policy to acknowledge his compliance with the law and his constitutional authority for the use of force… Which makes the invocation of the War Powers Act such a tired and blunt instrument,” McConnell said.
He also noted bipartisan history regarding executive military decisions: “I’m old enough to remember when – during President Obama’s feckless dealings with Iran – no less than the future Democratic Leader insisted that, ‘we should never take the military option off the table’.”
While acknowledging ongoing concerns about strategy in Venezuela, McConnell emphasized accountability from both Congress and the administration: “Of course, there are serious questions at hand to which the Senate and the American people should expect serious answers from the Commander-in-Chief. The President’s authorities to conduct military operations may be wide and well-established, but they incur a responsibility to situate decisive actions in broader, longer-term strategy.”
He described Maduro as an authoritarian who harmed both Venezuela’s democracy and regional stability: “Maduro is an authoritarian thug. He reduced a once-prosperous neighbor of America to an impoverished vassal of Cuba, Russia, Iran, and China. He profited from the flow of lethal drugs to America. He spat in the face of Venezuelan voters.”
McConnell called for clarity on U.S. goals moving forward: “To the extent that our colleagues are concerned about mechanisms and timeline of a transition… I share their curiosity… Suffice it to say that whatever objective… America is well-served when its Presidents secure enduring bipartisan support for their foreign policies.”
He concluded by urging opposition to S.J.Res.98: “In the meantime, I will oppose the Kaine resolution, and would urge my colleagues to do the same.”
