S.J.Res. 124 — A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against the Republic of Cuba that have not been authorized by Congress.

This section states the following congressional findings: (1) Congress has the sole power to declare war under Article I, section 8, clause 11 of the U.S. Constitution; (2) the President has a constitutional responsibility to defend the United States, its territories, possessions, citizens, service members, and diplomats from attack; (3) Congress has not declared war on Cuba or any person or organization within Cuba, nor enacted a specific statutory authorization for the use of military force within or against Cuba; (4) the use of force by U.S. Armed Forces within or against Cuba—including by the U.S. Coast Guard or other components to conduct a blockade or quarantine of Cuba—constitutes the introduction of U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities under section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1543(a)); and (5) section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a), provides for expedited consideration of any joint resolution or bill requiring removal of U.S. Armed Forces from imminent engagement in hostilities without a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization.

This section directs the President, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. 1546a (i.e., expedited procedures for congressional resolutions requiring removal of U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities), to remove such forces from hostilities within or against Cuba unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force. It specifies that this directive does not preclude U.S. defense against an armed attack, imminent threat of armed attack, or lawful counternarcotics operations.