After President Trump’s recent blockade and threats of military action in Cuba, I’m introducing this War Powers Resolution to prevent our Armed Forces from engaging in hostilities unless authorized by Congress.
Prevent the U.S. Armed Forces from engaging in hostilities against Cuba unless explicitly authorized by Congress.
Occurrences
Evidence
On March 13, 2026, Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Ruben Gallego introduced a War Powers Resolution to ensure any U.S. participation in hostilities against Cuba is explicitly authorized by Congress. The resolution is privileged and may be called up for a vote after 10 days.
Senators Adam Schiff, Tim Kaine, and Ruben Gallego introduced a War Powers Resolution to ensure any U.S. participation in hostilities against Cuba is explicitly authorized by Congress. The resolution is privileged and may be called up for a vote after 10 days.
Senate Democrats have filed legislation that would prevent the U.S. from attacking Cuba without congressional approval as they seek to force a vote on President Donald Trump's stated goal of a 'takeover' of the Caribbean country.
Tim has been a leading voice calling for Congress to play an assertive and deliberate role in decisions related to war and peace. He believes it should be Congress’ goal to minimize the risk of unnecessary war while maximizing the chance that the United States will decisively win any war we must fight. He has raised concerns over presidents’ use of military force without congressional authorization.
On March 26, 2026, Representatives Gregory W. Meeks and Pramila Jayapal introduced H.R. 8103, a bill to prohibit the use of funds to use military force in or against Cuba, and for other purposes.
On October 8, 2025, a majority of Senate Republicans voted to block U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and Senator Tim Kaine’s resolution that would have blocked the continued use of U.S. Armed Forces in the southern Caribbean Sea without an Authorization of Military Force (AUMF) by Congress.
The vote failed 48-50.
Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Ruben Gallego introduced a War Powers Resolution to ensure any U.S. participation in hostilities against Cuba is explicitly authorized by Congress.
Assessments
Sen. Kaine took concrete legislative action to advance this pledge: he co-sponsored and introduced a War Powers resolution (with Schiff and Gallego) to require explicit congressional authorization before U.S. participation in hostilities against Cuba (press release 3/13/2026) and Senate Democrats filed related legislation. However, the measure failed to secure Senate passage (vote reported 48-50), and earlier related efforts were blocked by Senate Republicans (10/8/2025). A House bill was introduced by other members (H.R. 8103) but was not enacted. Because Kaine made a serious, public legislative attempt but the proposed restrictions did not pass and no law preventing such hostilities was enacted, the promise was not delivered.
Senator Tim Kaine introduced and co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation, including a War Powers Resolution, explicitly aimed at preventing U.S. Armed Forces from engaging in hostilities against Cuba without congressional approval. However, the resolution and related legislative efforts were blocked in the Senate, and the proposed policy was not enacted into law. Kaine demonstrated sustained and serious legislative effort, but the promise was ultimately not delivered due to lack of passage.