Democratic senators file war powers resolution to check Trump on Cuba

Senate Democrats have filed legislation that would prevent the U.S. from attacking Cuba without congressional approval as they seek to force a vote on President Donald Trump’s stated goal of a “takeover” of the Caribbean country.

Democrats have repeatedly used war powers resolutions to force debate on Mr. Trump’s foreign policy moves, though Republicans have so far mostly backed the President. The resolution filed on Thursday (March 12, 2026) by Democratic Senators Tim Kaine, Ruben Gallego and Adam Schiff would require the President to remove the military from any hostilities with Cuba and could potentially receive a vote by the end of the month.

“Only Congress has the power to declare war under the Constitution, but he [Trump] operates with the belief that the U.S. military is a palace guard, ordering military action in the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Iran without Congress’s authorisation or any explanation for his actions to the American people,” Mr. Kaine said in a statement.

Mr. Trump said earlier this week that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was negotiating with Cuba’s leadership as the country faces a crippling energy crisis that has been exacerbated by a U.S. blockade of the island.

“It may be a friendly takeover, it may not be a friendly takeover,” Mr. Trump said. He added that he and Mr. Rubio would focus on that goal after the war with Iran.

Democrats are also planning next week to force votes on a series of war powers resolutions that apply to Iran unless Republicans agree to hold hearings on the conflict.