The resolution follows months of escalation by the Trump administration, including an oil blockade, repeated threats by the President to “take” Cuba, and last week’s indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro as a potential pretext to justify illegal U.S. military action in Cuba.

“Donald Trump’s belligerent foreign policy is creating new wars and conflicts across the world. As our country is already embroiled in a new war with Iran, the President has now set his sights on regime change in Cuba,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “This administration is rushing toward another disastrous war, putting countless American and foreign lives at risk. Congress must reassert its constitutional authority if the President continues down this illegal path.”

“The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are hellbent on starting another war, this time with Cuba, to distract from the President’s failure in Iran, weak economy, and mass deportation of 500,000 Cubans legally in the United States,” said Ranking Member Meeks. “If Donald Trump and Marco Rubio are serious about a new relationship with the Cuban people, they would reverse 65 years of failed U.S. policy toward Cuba, end the oil blockade and the humanitarian crisis it caused, and work with Congress to modify the draconian and outdated U.S. sanctions that disproportionately harm the Cuban people.”

The resolution is cosponsored by Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX).

Full text of the resolution is available here.