‘It’s Not Just Venezuela’: Rand Paul Cites Greenland as War Powers Debate Heats Up

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Sunday that the War Powers Resolution he and several Republican senators supported is not limited to Venezuela, but is also meant to prevent potential military action involving Greenland and other countries without congressional approval.

Appearing on ABC’s This Week, Paul was asked about recent comments from the White House indicating that the use of U.S. military force to secure Greenland has not been ruled out. Paul said he hopes military force would not be used, but argued that public threats undermine diplomacy.

Paul said that even if the United States were interested in purchasing Greenland, threatening military action would only alienate the people living there and make any agreement less likely. He added that talk of sending U.S. Marines would have the opposite effect of encouraging cooperation.

He also said there is little support in either Greenland or Washington for a military invasion, regardless of political party. However, Paul expressed concern that repeated statements leaving military force “on the table” amount to saber-rattling.

Paul said that is why the War Powers Act debate is important. He explained that the resolution is not only about Venezuela, but also about Greenland, Colombia, Cuba, and other potential conflicts. According to Paul, the issue centers on whether Congress and the American people have a say before the United States engages in military action.

The War Powers Resolution backed by Paul and five other Republican senators seeks to limit the president’s authority to conduct military operations without explicit authorization from Congress.

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