HJRES 153
To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To President
- Became Law
Bill overview
This joint resolution seeks to limit the President’s authority to use U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities within or against Cuba. It directs the President to remove U.S. forces from such situations unless Congress has formally declared war or specifically authorized military action. The bill emphasizes Congress’s constitutional power to declare war and argues that current military actions in Cuba without such authorization constitute an introduction of forces into hostilities. It also references relevant legal statutes regarding expedited procedures for removing military forces.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yoursRead the latest version inline or switch to a previous version.
119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. J. RES. 153
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JOINT RESOLUTION
To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress.
Congress makes the following findings:
Congress has the sole power to declare war under article I, section 8, clause 11 of the United States Constitution.
The President has a constitutional responsibility to take actions to defend the United States, its territories, its possessions, citizens, service members, and diplomats from attack.
Congress has not declared war upon Cuba or upon any person or organization within Cuba, nor enacted a specific statutory authorization for the use of military force within or against Cuba.
The use of force by the United States Armed Forces within or against Cuba, including the use of the United States Coast Guard and other components of the Armed Forces to conduct a blockade or quarantine of Cuba, constitutes the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities within the meaning of section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1543(a)).
Section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a) provides that any joint resolution or bill requiring the removal of United States Armed Forces from imminent engagement in hostilities without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization shall be considered in accordance with the expedited procedures under section 601(b) of the International Security and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–329).
Pursuant to section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a), and in accordance with section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976 (Public Law 94–329), Congress hereby directs the President to remove the United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Cuba, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.
Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent the United States from defending itself from an armed attack, the threat of an imminent armed attack, or the lawful execution of counternarcotics operations.