Goodlander Statement on American Military Action in Venezuela

Concord, N.H. - Today, following American military action in Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander - a former Naval Intelligence Officer for over a decade and a Member of the House Armed Services Committee - released the following statement:

"Granite Staters are feeling the pain of a full-blown affordability crisis in America, and President Trump is focused on running another country.

"The President's address to the nation about the large-scale military action he unilaterally ordered on Venezuela without congressional authorization or a credible explanation leaves the American people with more concerns and questions than answers.

"President Trump has asserted that the United States will 'run' Venezuela in the wake of this action. How will this make the American people safer? How will this address the real pain Granite Staters are feeling because of the sky-high cost of living here at home? And what is the legal justification for such an action?

"The United States Constitution entrusts the United States Congress with war powers for very good reasons. The Trump Administration must immediately and truthfully answer questions about the motivation and legality of this unilateral military action, the potential for any further escalation, and the plan for peace. The American people deserve answers and accountability, and I will not back down until we get both."

Congresswoman Goodlander, a Member of the House Armed Services Committee and a former intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve, is leading the No Unauthorized War with Venezuela Actin the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation prohibits the executive branch from spending any federal funds on the use of military force inside Venezuela or against Venezuelan forces, including remote or intermittent strikes, unless Congress passes a specific Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF).

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