Removal of the Use of United States Forces for Hostilities Within or Against Venezuela

Floor Speech

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Mr. McCORMICK. Mr. Speaker, I am in strong opposition to this resolution because the issue before us is not one of Presidential authority. It is whether Congress should undermine the President's ability to deter threats and protect the United States' interests in our own hemisphere.

History shows that time after time, Mr. Speaker, if you signal weakness, it emboldens your adversaries. A resolution that publicly constrains the Commander in Chief does not promote peace. What it does is it telegraphs weakness to a hostile regime like Venezuela and encourages them to test U.S. resolve.

This is not a distant theater. This is our hemisphere. Supporting the President's authority is not a blank check for war. It is a recommendation that timely, flexible military posturing is what prevents war, and in this case protects Americans against the most lethal attack ever on the American people and the population where we have lost over 250 people per day for the last 3 years.

This is not the time to act in opposition to the Commander in Chief and to oppose him from the most important obligation he has: protect the American public. That is why I oppose this.

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