A new House of Representatives bill introduced last week would ensure U.S. President Donald Trump — or any sitting president — from using federal funds for a military invasion of Canada.
At least, not without Congress’ permission.
Rhode Island Congressman Seth Magaziner’s No Invading Allies Act seeks to “prohibit funds for the Armed Forces to engage in operations to invade or seize territory from Canada, the Republic of Panama, or the self-governing territory of Greenland.”
“Such actions would needlessly cost American lives and resources, embolden our enemies and destroy the alliances that have kept our nation safe since the end of the Second World War,” reads a release from the sophomore Democrat’s office.
On several occasions since being elected last year, and starting well before his official inauguration in January, Trump has been expressly candid about his desire to acquire Greenland and reclaim the Panama Canal for the U.S. In January, he refused to rule out military force to do so.
In February, University of Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy senior fellow Jon Allen told the National Post such an action would be a direct violation of international law under the United Nations’ Charter.
As confirmed by soon-to-be former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, Trump’s goal is to use economic sanctions to create “a total collapse of the Canadian economy because that’ll make it easier to annex us.”
Regardless, Trump’s clear intentions of territorial expansion and willingness to use military force to achieve that goal “makes clear that he cannot be trusted with unchecked war powers,” according to Magaziner.
The U.S. Constitution dictates that only Congress has the authority to declare war on another country, but the 1973 War Powers Resolution allowed for presidents to engage in temporary hostilities for up to 60 days without Congressional approval.
Magaziner’s bill would reinforce Congress’ role by requiring the president to obtain either their blessing, a formal declaration of war or declaration of “a national emergency created by attack or imminent threat of attack” before U.S. Armed Forces could act against Canada or the other two territories.
The restrictions are to make sure the U.S. opposes territorial conflicts, respects alliances and “remains committed to a rules-based international order and democratic values.”
“President Trump should not be allowed to put American servicemembers into harm’s way by starting unnecessary wars with our allies,” Magaziner stated.
“My bill … makes clear that Congress will not allow the President to unilaterally drag us into unnecessary conflicts that do nothing to make Americans safer.”
Introduced Thursday, the bill cosponsored by eight Democrats — seven congresspeople and one D.C. delegate — has been referred to foreign affairs and armed services committees for review.
Since being elected in 2023, Magaziner hasn’t seen one of his sponsored bills become law, per Congress’ web portal. Four have reached committee consideration.
The House is currently narrowly controlled by the Republicans — 218 to the Dem’s 214 — so he will require their backing for his bill to pass.
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