That package would require approval in both the Senate—where 60 votes are needed—and the House of Representatives. Although the White House has not yet sent the legislation to Congress, Kaine noted that figures being discussed range “between $80 billion and $200 billion.”
The proposal would be reviewed by one of the committees on which Kaine serves, and he believes “it will be difficult to secure approval for additional funding at this time.”
“It seems that for this president, one war is not enough,” said Kaine, noting that Venezuelans ask him: “When can we have our transition to democracy, since the Maduro regime is still in power? When will we have our own elections and open a new chapter for Venezuelan democracy?”
Kaine said that while the war in Iran continues, President Trump has been suggesting that “Cuba will be next.”
As the ranking member of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Kaine also discussed President Trump’s threats to use military force against Cuba and the ongoing blockade imposed by the administration. He expressed concern that the president might use the armed forces against the island and “will not ask Congress for permission or support.”
Kaine stressed that “we already have too many wars right now,” which is why he introduced a War Powers Resolution—potentially subject to a vote next week—to ensure that any U.S. participation in hostilities against Cuba is explicitly authorized by Congress. He recently sent a letter to President Trump outlining how the administration’s policies have worsened Cuba’s humanitarian crisis and calling for a new approach.
While acknowledging that “anyone can have an opinion about Cuba,” Kaine argued that “the regime change the president is pursuing should not be a priority for the United States,” adding that “we must respect other nations.”
Regarding the Trump administration’s stance toward NATO and Spain over Spain’s opposition to the war with Iran, Kaine emphasized that “Spain is a great friend of the United States” and that the president “did not have NATO’s backing in this war.”
“Spain has supported the United States many times in the past when military action was necessary for global security,” Kaine said.
“I am not surprised that Spain and other countries such as the United Kingdom are not supporting the United States, because we are harming their economies and starting a war without consulting them.”
He added that “all Democrats believe that wars in Venezuela, Cuba, or in international waters are illegal without a vote by Congress.”
Kaine clarified that “forty‑six out of forty‑seven Democrats are voting with me against the war—the only exception is Senator Fetterman of Pennsylvania—but right now the challenge is finding Republicans, because without Republican support we cannot end the war.”
He believes Republican voters are calling their senators’ offices to demand an end to the war and said, “I am of the opinion that one day—maybe not this week, but one day—my Republican colleagues will listen to their voters and finally vote for their constituents and against this president.”
Meanwhile, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D‑NY) addressed the Senate floor to criticize what he called President Trump’s “Operation Epic Failure,” urging Senate Republicans to listen to the American people and vote in favor of the Democrats’ War Powers Resolution.
“I want to thank Senator Kaine for his extraordinary leadership on this issue, Senator Booker, and the members of our caucus for working with me to ensure we can secure those votes week after week, without rest, until Republicans are willing to step forward, listen to the pleas of the American people, and fulfill their duty,” Senator Schumer emphasized.
