May 30, 2026
Washington, D.C. — In March, Nydia Velázquez introduced a House War Powers Resolution aimed at preventing U.S. involvement in military hostilities against Cuba without congressional authorization [1]. The resolution was a response to the administration’s military blockade of Cuba and presidential statements suggesting possible military action.
In May, Velázquez and Gregory Meeks jointly introduced a privileged War Powers Resolution to terminate unauthorized military action against Cuba. [2] The sponsors cited several developments that had occurred since March, including the continuation of the oil blockade, repeated threats to “take” Cuba, and the indictment of former Cuban president Raúl Castro, which they argued could be used as a pretext for military action. They also argued that current U.S. policies, including the oil blockade –which could constitute an act of war— and sanctions, have contributed to a humanitarian crisis in Cuba and called for a shift toward diplomatic engagement rather than military escalation. The May measure also added support from Representatives Jim McGovern and Joaquin Castro. [3]
Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Ruben Gallego reintroduced the Cuba War Powers Resolution, amid renewed concerns, including reports of military contingency planning and escalating pressure on Cuba. After, on April 28, the vote of a similar resolution introduced in March [4] was blocked, it is a renewed attempt to force a congressional vote on the same underlying question: whether the President may use U.S. military forces against Cuba without explicit congressional authorization.
This privileged resolution —as its previous version— seeks to ensure that any U.S. military action against Cuba must receive explicit authorization from Congress, reaffirming Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war. It defines a U.S. blockade or quarantine of Cuba as introducing U.S. forces into hostilities under the War Powers Resolution. The resolution directs the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Cuba unless Congress specifically approves such action through a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force. [5]
The Alliance for Cuba Engagement and Respect (ACERE) celebrates Democratic leaders for persisting on efforts to ensure that U.S. involvement in military hostilities against Cuba does not take place without congressional authorization. ACERE calls on all lawmakers to support these legislative initiatives in the House and Senate.
For more information, contact: allianceforcuba@acere.org or visit acere.org.
[1] https://velazquez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/velazquez.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/cuba-wpr.pdf
[2] https://velazquez.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/velazquez-evo.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/bills-119hconres106ih.pdf
[3] https://velazquez.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/velazquez-meeks-introduce-war-powers-resolution-stop-unauthorized-us
[4] https://www.kaine.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cuba_wpr.pdf
[5] https://www.kaine.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/cuba_wpr_-_may_2026.pdf
