Congress is wielding its power of the purse to compel transparency from the Pentagon, threatening to withhold 25% of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s travel funds if he fails to release unedited videos of U.S. military strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific. The move, included in the must-pass National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is the latest effort by lawmakers from both parties to obtain details about President Trump’s intensified campaign against Venezuela.
What Does the NDAA Provision Demand?
The provision is a direct response to the administration’s secrecy surrounding a series of naval strikes. It creates a two-part condition for releasing the full travel budget.
Specifically, it mandates that the Pentagon must submit:
- Any overdue quarterly reports regarding military “execute orders” for the Department of Defense.
- Unedited video footage of strikes conducted against designated terrorist organizations within the area of responsibility of the U.S. Southern Command, which includes the waters around Venezuela.
Only after these are provided to the congressional defense committees will the remaining 25% of the travel budget for the Office of the Secretary of Defense be made available.
Why Are Lawmakers Demanding These Videos?
Lawmakers, including some Republicans, have grown increasingly concerned about the legal and ethical grounds of the Trump administration’s “campaign against narcoterrorists.” Since early September, the U.S. has carried out at least 22 strikes, killing 87 people.
Key concerns driving the demand for footage include:
Lack of Congressional Authorization: Opponents contend that the protracted operation violates the War Powers Act by acting as a warlike campaign without congressional authorization.
Legality of Strikes: Experts question if killing dozens without public proof of an imminent threat complies with international law.
Controversial September 2 Incident: The strike, where survivors were allegedly targeted in the water rather than rescued, has faced intense examination. Secretary Hegseth defended the incident but has yet to release the full video footage.
What is the Administration’s Stance?
The Trump administration has framed the operations as a necessary campaign to disrupt “narcoterrorists” and stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Secretary Hegseth, as recently as Saturday, stated he had not decided whether to make the full video of the September 2 incident public, saying it remained “under review.”
The Pentagon did not immediately comment on the new NDAA provision. The administration briefed lawmakers on the strikes late last week, a session that left senior Democrats “troubled” while some Republicans defended the actions as legal.
Your Questions Answered: NDAA Provision & Strike Videos FAQs
Q: What is the NDAA?
A: Passed every year, the National Defense Authorization Act sets defense policy and spending priorities. Adding this provision gives it significant backing and a strong path to becoming law.
Q: Can Congress legally withhold the Secretary’s travel funds?
A: Yes. Holding the “power of the purse,” Congress can attach conditions to funding. This power is commonly used to pressure the executive branch into meeting information requests.
Q: What are the “execute orders” mentioned?
A: Execute Orders (EXORDs) are official military instructions that approve an operation and set its limits. Congress is seeking delayed reports on these orders to clarify the legal and operational basis of the strikes.
Q: Why is the September 2 strike so controversial?
A: According to reports, the U.S. military continued firing after the initial strike sank a boat, killing survivors in the sea. This has sparked grave questions under the Laws of Armed Conflict over the treatment of those out of combat.
Q: Will this provision force the video’s release?
A: It puts a lot of financial strain on people. A political and legal impasse could result from the administration’s refusal, though. The clause guarantees that the matter stays at the top of the congressional oversight agenda.
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