Congress·In Committee·S.J.Res. 83

Congress Proposes Resolution to Stop Unauthorized Military Strikes Against Drug Traffickers

A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress.

6 months ago·View on Congress.gov

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Stalled

No legislative action in over 90 days.

Legislative Progress

Senate

House

President

Law

Key Points

This resolution would require the President to stop using the U.S. military for attacks against drug cartels and certain terrorist groups unless Congress gives specific permission. It reminds the government that the Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the sole power to declare war.
The move comes after the U.S. military carried out strikes on vessels on September 2 and September 15, 2025. Lawmakers say they have not received enough information about who was on those ships, what they were carrying, or why lethal force was used instead of other methods.
The policy specifically targets groups labeled as terrorists after February 20, 2025, and organizations involved in the illegal drug trade. It argues that drug trafficking by itself does not give the President the legal right to start military combat operations without a vote from Congress.
If passed, the military could still defend the country from an actual incoming attack or help law enforcement with authorized drug-fighting tasks. However, it would prevent the President from starting new, unauthorized military conflicts under the guise of fighting drugs.

National Security Foreign PolicyCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Who is affectedScoreImpactCertaintyScopeDurationSentiment

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions

Oct 8, 2025Senate

Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 48 - 51. Record Vote Number: 555.

Sep 18, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Sep 18, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Vote Results

1 vote

SenateFailedProceduralOct 8, 2025

On the Motion to Discharge

Democrat

44 – 1

Republican

2 – 50 · 1

Independent

2 – 0

View full roll call

Related News

2 articles

The Washington Post·6 months ago

U.S. in 'armed conflict' with drug cartels, Trump tells Congress

In a notification to Capitol Hill, President Trump declared the U.S. is in a 'non-international armed conflict' with drug cartels, providing a legal rationale for lethal strikes. Critics and legal experts called the move a dubious assertion of presidential war powers.

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The Washington Post·5 months ago

Trump administration tells Congress war law doesn't apply to cartel strikes

The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel informed lawmakers that the administration is not bound by the War Powers Resolution's 60-day limit for the current maritime campaign, arguing the strikes do not constitute 'hostilities' as U.S. personnel are not in direct danger.

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