News: House Democrats plan to unveil a bill Friday that would cut off funding for U.S. operations in or against Venezuela.
The legislation, led by Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), would bar the Trump administration from spending money on military campaigns targeting Venezuela unless lawmakers approve an Authorization for Use of Military Force, according to an aide.
Moulton plans to announce the push during a 9 a.m. news conference, alongside fellow Democratic Reps. Jimmy Panetta (Calif.), Eugene Vindman (Va.) and Jake Auchincloss (Mass.).
The lawmakers will also use the unveiling to denounce President Donald Trump’s comments Thursday accusing a group of House and Senate Democrats of “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” The group of lawmakers, who all have national security backgrounds, filmed a video urging military members to refuse to follow “unlawful orders.”
Pressure campaign. The legislation continues House Democrats’ pushback against the Trump administration’s strikes targeting alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Half a dozen leading lawmakers earlier this week pitched a resolution seeking to prevent Trump from using U.S. forces against any groups he’s labeled as designated terrorist organizations within the Western Hemisphere. The Senate has blocked two similar resolutions in recent months.
