119-HJRES81

Resolution is currently in: House
Passed in
House Senate

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. J. RES. 81

Authorizing the use of military force against certain Mexican cartels.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 24, 2025

Mr. Steube submitted the following joint resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

JOINT RESOLUTION

Whereas Tren de Aragua, Mara Salvatrucha (MS–13), Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Northeast Cartel, Michoacán family, the United cartels, Cartel del Golfo, and Clan del Golfo have engaged in and permitted the occurrence of terrorism, outrages upon personal dignity, and the extrajudicial execution of innocent peoples in the United States;

Whereas such cartels have violated the territorial integrity of the United States;

Whereas such cartels have enabled the entry of terrorists into the United States, a serious violation upon the sovereignty of the American people;

Whereas such cartels have smuggled cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, and other illicit drugs into the United States;

Whereas the opioid overdose epidemic has resulted in the deaths of millions of Americans, including an average yearly death rate of more than 110,000 per year at the height of the Biden Administration;

Whereas such cartels have established human trafficking networks facilitating the sexual exploitation of children and women;

Whereas the Government of Mexico has demonstrated an inability and negligible willingness to dismantle such cartels that have committed the most violent of atrocities upon the American people;

Whereas the presence of such cartels poses a clear and evident danger to the United States;

Whereas, ensuring the territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and protection of the American people against all enemies, foreign and domestic, is of the utmost responsibilities entrusted upon the Armed Forces;

Whereas such responsibilities necessitate the elimination of the aforementioned cartels’ operational capacity via the application of military force; and

Whereas Article 1, Section 8, Clause 1 of the United States Constitution directs Congress to provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States: Now, therefore, be it

(a) Authorization for use of military force - The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines necessary and appropriate against the covered cartels, any forces directly coordinated or affiliated with any covered cartel, and any successor organization or forces to any such covered cartel.

(b) Covered cartel defined - In this resolution, the term "covered cartel" means the following:

(1) - Tren de Aragua.

(2) - Mara Salvatrucha (MS–13).

(3) - Sinaloa Cartel.

(4) - Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

(5) - Northeast Cartel.

(6) - Michoacán family.

(7) - The United cartels.

(8) - Cartel del Golfo.

(9) - Clan del Golfo.

(a) Specific statutory authorization - Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.

(b) Applicability of other requirements - Nothing in this joint resolution supersedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.