WASHINGTON, D.C.: A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is moving to assert Congress's authority over military decisions, filing a resolution to block any U.S. attack on Venezuela unless lawmakers explicitly approve it. The push comes after President Donald Trump said a land operation against the country would begin "very soon."

Since early September, U.S. forces have carried out at least 21 strikes on alleged drug boats in the Caribbean and Pacific, killing at least 83 people as Trump accelerates military pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government. The administration has described the campaign as a bid to stop illegal drugs from reaching the United States. Maduro denies involvement in the drug trade.

Trump has told reporters at the White House several times in the past two days that a land attack was imminent, comments that prompted lawmakers to act sooner than planned.

Democratic Senators Tim Kaine of Virginia, Chuck Schumer of New York and Adam Schiff of California, along with Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, said Wednesday they had formally introduced their war powers resolution. The group has repeatedly tried to limit Trump's actions toward Venezuela and had warned they would seek a congressional vote if an attack were launched.

"We are being dragged into a war with Venezuela without legal basis or congressional authorization, and the Senate must be prepared to stop an illegal war that would needlessly place at risk thousands of American servicemembers," Schiff said in a statement.

Under Senate rules, a war powers resolution is considered privileged, meaning it must be brought to the floor for a vote within days.