New Bill Blocks Federal Funds for Venezuelan Military Action Until 2027, Reasserting Congressional War Powers

A new piece of legislation just hit the table, and it’s about putting the brakes on military spending in a specific hot spot: Venezuela. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for any military force “in or against Venezuela” from now until December 31, 2026. This means the Executive Branch can’t spend a dime on military action there unless Congress explicitly signs off on it, creating a clear, temporary wall against unilateral intervention.

The Check on the Executive Power

Think of this bill as Congress using its wallet to enforce the separation of powers. For any military action in Venezuela to happen before the end of 2026, the bill requires one of two things: either Congress must formally declare war on Venezuela, or Congress must pass a specific, new law authorizing the use of military force. Crucially, that new authorization must meet the detailed requirements of the War Powers Resolution, which is the existing law that tries to keep the President from starting wars without legislative approval. This move reinforces Congress’s constitutional authority over who gets to decide when and where the U.S. military is deployed.

The Fine Print: When the Ban Doesn't Apply

Now, here’s where the policy meets the road. Like most laws dealing with military action, this prohibition isn't absolute. The bill includes an important exception for “defensive actions.” Specifically, the ban doesn't apply to uses of military force that are consistent with Section 2(c) of the War Powers Resolution. This section allows the use of force in situations like repelling a “sudden attack” on the United States, its territories, or its armed forces. In plain English, if U.S. troops or assets are suddenly attacked, the military can defend itself and respond immediately without waiting for Congress to pass a new law.

What This Means for the Real World

For the average person, this bill is a clear win for oversight and stability. By putting a hard stop on funding for military operations in Venezuela until the end of 2026, it removes the possibility of the Executive Branch launching a costly, unexpected intervention without public debate or legislative approval. It forces the conversation about any potential military conflict back into the public arena and the halls of Congress, rather than being decided unilaterally behind closed doors. While the defensive exception is necessary, it also means that the Executive Branch retains some wiggle room to define what constitutes a “sudden attack” requiring immediate response, which is the kind of detail policy analysts will be watching closely.