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Two Democratic representatives introduced a bill in Congress titled "Prevent an Unconstitutional War in Cuba Act," an initiative to prevent President Donald Trump from using federal funds for military actions against Cuba without prior authorization from the Legislature.
Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) are leading the proposal, which prohibits compelling or using federal funds until December 31, 2026, to employ military force in or against Cuba, except in the case of a declaration of war by Congress or authorization under the War Powers Resolution.
The legislation includes an exception for cases of imminent threat or self-defense.
The initiative comes in direct response to Trump’s statements on March 16, when he claimed in the Oval Office that it would be "a great honor" for him to "take Cuba," describing the island as a "failed nation" without money or oil but with tourism potential.
Although Trump himself ruled out direct military actions—responding "That is not going to happen" to a related question—Democrats believe that the presidential rhetoric poses a real constitutional risk.
"The United States cannot bomb Cuba to pull it out of economic collapse or political repression — lasting change must come through the empowerment of the Cuban people, not by doubling down on a failed approach that disproportionately harms them," Meeks stated while presenting the bill.
"Illegal regime change conflicts"
Jayapal was more direct in her criticism of Trump: "He has initiated illegal regime change conflicts in Venezuela and Iran and is now threatening Cuba. Trump promised to end endless wars — he lied."
"Only Congress has the power to declare war, something that Trump clearly does not respect. He has no plan to improve the conditions of the Cuban people or to promote democracy," he added.
The project has 14 Democratic co-sponsors, including Nydia M. Velázquez, Rashida Tlaib, Joaquin Castro, and James P. McGovern. Velázquez, who had already submitted a separate resolution under the War Powers Resolution this Tuesday, warned that Trump's oil blockade "is worsening a humanitarian crisis and punishing the Cuban people."
This new legislation adds to a resolution presented in the Senate by Democrats Tim Kaine, Ruben Gallego, and Adam Schiff with the same aim.
The maximum pressure policy of the Trump administration, supported by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, includes the Executive Order 14380 signed on January 29, which declared Cuba a "significant threat" and imposed tariffs on countries that supply it with oil, leading to power outages of up to 15 hours a day in Havana.
However, the legislative prospects of the initiative are limited.
Similar initiatives regarding Venezuela and Iran have been rejected by the Republican majority Congress —the Senate blocked a resolution on Venezuela on January 15 by a vote of 51 to 50, with the tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance—, and any resolution that is approved could be vetoed by Trump, requiring a two-thirds majority in Congress to override that veto, a scenario deemed highly unlikely.
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