S.J.Res. 98: A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.
Sponsor
Timothy Kaine
Democrat · VA
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Jan 14, 2026
Point of order that the measure is not entitled to expedited procedures under 50 U.S.C. 1546(a) raised against the measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 50. Record Vote Number: 9.
Congress moves to block an unauthorized Venezuela war
Why it matters
30 senators backed S.J.Res. 98 to force a yes-or-no vote on whether U.S. forces can stay in hostilities involving Venezuela without a war declaration or a specific military authorization. If it passes, the President would have to end those operations unless Congress approves them or the United States is responding to an armed attack.
S.J.Res. 98 tells the President to end the use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless Congress explicitly authorizes that force.
The resolution says Congress has not declared war on Venezuela and has not passed a specific military authorization covering operations there. It also says any U.S. military action in or against Venezuela counts as hostilities for war-powers purposes.
There is one clear carveout: the bill says nothing stops the United States from defending itself from an armed attack or an imminent armed attack. So the target here is ongoing or open-ended military action without a direct vote from Congress, not immediate self-defense.
This is also a procedural fight. The resolution is written to trigger fast-track Senate consideration, but the latest Senate action shows that path is disputed.
S.J.Res. 98 Bill Summary
What S.J.Res. 98 actually does.
Unauthorized Venezuela hostilities must end
S.J.Res. 98 directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless Congress later gives explicit approval.
Congress says it never approved this conflict
The resolution states that Congress has not declared war on Venezuela and has not passed a specific authorization for military force there.
Venezuela operations count as hostilities
The bill says U.S. military force within or against Venezuela falls under the war-powers framework for introducing forces into hostilities.
Immediate self-defense stays on the table
The resolution says it does not block the United States from defending itself against an armed attack or an imminent armed attack.
Senators try to force a vote quickly
S.J.Res. 98 is written to use expedited war-powers procedures, although the Senate's latest action shows that shortcut is being contested.
Who benefits from S.J.Res. 98?
U.S. service members who could be drawn into Venezuela operations
They would get a clearer rule: no continued hostilities in or against Venezuela unless Congress votes yes or the United States is acting in immediate self-defense.
Military families who want Congress on record
If a loved one could be sent into danger, this resolution aims to require a public vote instead of leaving the decision entirely to the executive branch.
Lawmakers trying to reclaim war powers
The bill is designed to force Congress to either authorize military action involving Venezuela or require it to stop.
Americans worried about another open-ended conflict
S.J.Res. 98 targets one specific theater — Venezuela — and tries to prevent U.S. involvement there from continuing without a direct congressional authorization.
Who is affected by S.J.Res. 98?
The President and national security agencies
They would be ordered to end hostilities involving Venezuela unless Congress passes a war declaration or a specific military authorization, or unless force is used for immediate self-defense.
U.S. forces participating in Venezuela-related missions
Any operation that qualifies as hostilities within or against Venezuela could be subject to termination under the resolution.
Senate leadership
They would have to decide whether and how this measure gets floor time after the Senate split 50-50 on a procedural challenge to expedited consideration.
Future administrations considering military action in Venezuela
The resolution signals that Congress wants a direct say before any sustained U.S. military involvement there continues.
What Congress Is Saying
S.J.Res. 98 has come up 26 times in the Congressional Record so far.
S.J.Res. 98 also appeared in 11 more Senate floor references and 9 routine cosponsor filings.
SJRES98 Legislative Journey
Action Taken
Jan 14, 2026
Point of order that the measure is not entitled to expedited procedures under 50 U.S.C. 1546(a) raised against the measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 50. Record Vote Number: 9.
Committee Action
Jan 8, 2026
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 47. Record Vote Number: 5, by motion, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1546a.
Committee Action
Dec 3, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
About the Sponsor
Timothy Kaine
Democrat, VA · 13 years in Congress
Committees: Foreign Relations, Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Armed Services
View full profile →
Cosponsors (30)
This bill has 30 cosponsors: 28 Democrats, 1 Republican, 1 Independent. Cosponsors represent 19 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, and 16 more.
Rand Paul
Republican · KY
Charles Schumer
Democrat · NY
Adam Schiff
Democrat · CA
Ruben Gallego
Democrat · AZ
Jeff Merkley
Democrat · OR
Brian Schatz
Democrat · HI
Peter Welch
Democrat · VT
Tammy Duckworth
Democrat · IL
Chris Van Hollen
Democrat · MD
Richard Blumenthal
Democrat · CT
Bernie Sanders
Independent · VT
Michael Bennet
Democrat · CO
Committee Sponsors
Foreign Relations Committee
9 of 22 committee members cosponsored
2 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
S.J.Res. 98 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Foreign Relations
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- International Affairs
- Introduced
- Dec 3, 2025
Point of order that the measure is not entitled to expedited procedures under 50 U.S.C. 1546(a) raised against the measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 50 - 50. Record Vote Number: 9.
Jan 14, 2026
Official Sources
Official Congress.gov page for the resolution, including text, actions, sponsors, and status.
This is the core federal war powers statute referenced by the resolution's findings and hostilities framework.
The bill specifically cites section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution, codified at 50 U.S.C. 1543(a), for reporting when U.S. forces are introduced into hostilities.
This provision is expressly cited in the bill as the basis for expedited consideration of resolutions directing removal of U.S. forces.
The findings begin with Article I, Section 8, Clause 11, which gives Congress the power to declare war.
Official GovInfo PDF of the War Powers Resolution as enacted, useful for the original statutory language behind the bill's framework.
Official Senate roll call vote database that can document the 50-50 procedural vote described in the analysis.
Official repository for enrolled and introduced bill texts, useful as a backup source for the resolution text and versions.
S.J.Res. 98 Common Questions
What would S.J.Res. 98 actually do?
It would direct the President to end U.S. Armed Forces hostilities within or against Venezuela unless Congress passes a war declaration or a specific military authorization.
Would this stop all U.S. military action tied to Venezuela?
Not automatically. It targets hostilities within or against Venezuela. The bill also says the U.S. can still defend itself from an armed attack or an imminent armed attack.
Does Congress say it already approved force against Venezuela?
No. The resolution says Congress has neither declared war on Venezuela nor passed a specific authorization for using military force there.
Why is this a war powers bill?
Because S.J.Res. 98 says military action in or against Venezuela counts as hostilities, which Congress says triggers its authority to decide whether those operations can continue.
Can the President still act in an emergency?
Yes. The bill says nothing prevents the United States from defending itself against an armed attack or the threat of an imminent armed attack.
Is S.J.Res. 98 only about Venezuela?
Yes. The resolution is narrowly written to cover hostilities within or against Venezuela, not U.S. military operations worldwide.
Does this bill cut off funding for military operations?
No. S.J.Res. 98 does not include a funding cutoff or new penalties. It works by directing the President to terminate the hostilities it covers.
What is the bill's current obstacle in the Senate?
Procedure. The latest Senate action was a 50-50 vote agreeing to a point of order that challenged whether S.J.Res. 98 qualifies for expedited consideration.
Based on S.J.Res. 98 bill text
S.J.Res. 98 Bill Text
“To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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