As far as the legal constitutional piece, I am not as clear on.

Under the Constitution and War Powers Act, the President may not take unilateral military action.

this legislation is really reflecting the constitutional requirement that before men and women of the Armed Forces are deployed in hostilities, that it requires congressional authorization.

that is why this legislation is actually bipartisan, I think, for precisely that reason.

For these reasons, it is critical that Congress play a role in any decision to intervene militarily in Venezuela.

nothing in the legislation that we are currently considering takes this military option off the table.

The United States must continue to work with the Lima Group, Europeans, and the international community to use diplomatic and economic tools to pressure Maduro to honor the will of his people.

That is why I introduced this legislation, which would simply prohibit funds from being spent on any unauthorized military engagement in Venezuela.

I want to thank you, Chairman Engel, Ranking Member McCaul, for how holding this important hearing and for considering this piece of legislation.

The time for Congress to weigh in is now.

One of the things we can do to the world is continue to act like a democracy, and let people see real debate and respect for rule of law.

The bills we're considering today will inject competition in the system sooner, move drugs to the market more quickly, and lower costs.

The Constitution gave Congress, not the executive branch, the power to determine when the United States goes to war.

We should not give him reason to breathe a sigh of relief.

I believe that the United States and our allies in the Lima Group and the European Union must continue to squeeze Nicolas Maduro and push for a peaceful, democratic transition.

Under Article I of the Constitution, Congress decides whether America will go to war.

All clear-eyed and freedom-loving people around the world want to see Maduro gone so free and fair elections can be held.

U.S. military intervention to shape the future of Venezuela is not an option.