Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On The Trump Administration’s Reckless Escalation Of Military Actions In The Caribbean Without Congressional Authorization
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor to condemn Donald Trump’s announcement of a “total and complete blockade” of oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela as part of a dangerous military escalation with no clear plan, no transparency, and no congressional authorization. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
Yesterday, President Trump announced a “total and complete blockade” of all sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela—another dangerous escalation with no clear plan whatsoever. Donald Trump has offered precisely zero explanation, zero, to the American people for what he is trying to accomplish in the Caribbean.
Most Senate Republicans, meanwhile, appear to have no interest in doing any congressional oversight in a serious way of the administration's military buildup. We've had no serious public congressional hearings on the threat of military conflict off the coast of Venezuela, no public testimony from defense officials on this issue. The purpose of hearings is to challenge an administration when it may well be going off course, and they seem to be going off course in Venezuela. Donald Trump talks one way and then another. I've asked some of our leaders, where is the limit to how far they will go? No answer. Could this be getting us into an endless war? The American people fear that above most other things, maybe all things. That's why we need oversight, and the Senate Republicans are nowhere.
Meanwhile, the briefing we had yesterday with Secretary Rubio and Hegseth was utterly disappointing. The administration walked into the room totally empty-handed. They gave us no real answers about what the objective is in the Caribbean. Secretary Hegseth also refused to give senators full access to the video of the September 2nd strikes.
The same lack of transparency that is affecting the September 2nd video is affecting our policy in the whole Caribbean and with Venezuela. No oversight. No plan, no discussion with the Senate, the House or the American people. That's what leads to trouble—big trouble.
Let's be very clear. Donald Trump does not have the authority to use military force to carry out his current plans in the Caribbean without authorization from Congress. If Donald Trump acts without congressional authorization, the Senate stands ready with a bipartisan resolution, led by Senator Kaine, myself, Senators Paul and Schiff, preventing the unauthorized use of force.
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