Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has announced his intention to introduce the No Occupation of Venezuela (NOVA) Act, legislation aimed at prohibiting the use of any “federal funds, military or civilian, direct or indirect,” to support the occupation or internal administration of Venezuela.
In a statement issued by his office on January 7, Congressman Krishnamoorthi said the NOVA Act reasserts Congress’s constitutional power of the purse by cutting off funding for any U.S. effort to occupy, govern, or administer Venezuela.
This prohibition would apply to both military and civilian authorities. The legislation makes clear that there is no authorization for the United States to run Venezuela’s government, energy sector, financial system, or law enforcement, including through the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Treasury Department, or any other federal entity.
“At a moment when families are getting hit with rising costs of living, President Trump is trying to drag the country toward another overseas occupation he has no authority to start,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “The Constitution is clear: Congress controls the money, and Congress has not approved the United States occupying or running Venezuela—militarily, economically, or administratively. Americans do not want another endless entanglement abroad or their tax dollars used to subsidize an occupation while health care and Medicaid are on the chopping block at home. The NOVA Act stops this power grab cold.”
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Under the NOVA Act, no federal funds could be used, directly or indirectly, to further the occupation or internal administration of Venezuela. The measure is intended to prevent the Executive Branch from shifting from military action to “civilian control, economic administration, or sector-by-sector oversight without explicit congressional authorization.”
“The legislation will not prohibit the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance, preserving aid to the Venezuelan people while preventing any U.S. occupation or governance of the country,” the statement added.
