The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed a procedural measure aimed at restricting President Donald Trump from initiating further military action in Venezuela without explicit congressional approval. The vote, which garnered 52-47 support, occurred less than a week after President Trump authorized a strike that resulted in the capture of Venezuela's leader, Nicolás Maduro. Following the vote, President Trump publicly criticized five Republican senators who supported the resolution.
Senate Vote on Venezuela Military Authority
On Thursday, the U.S. Senate passed a War Powers Resolution that seeks to limit the President's authority regarding military engagement in Venezuela. The resolution stipulates that President Trump must obtain approval from Congress before deploying the U.S. military again in the country. The vote was 52-47.
This legislative action follows a U.S.-authorized strike in Venezuela less than a week prior, which led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
Congressional Resolution Details
The War Powers Resolution was co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia and Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. Its passage in the Senate was a procedural step, indicating sufficient support for potential final passage in the chamber. Should it pass the Senate, the resolution would then proceed to the House of Representatives, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. The War Powers Resolution, originally enacted during the Vietnam era, is designed to limit a President's power to deploy military forces into conflict without obtaining congressional approval.
Presidential Criticism and Constitutional Claims
Following the Senate vote, President Trump used his Truth Social platform to criticize the five Republican senators who voted in favor of the measure alongside Democrats. He stated that these senators "should never be elected to office again," and described their vote as "stupidity."
The Republican senators identified by President Trump were:
- Senator Susan Collins (Maine)
- Senator Josh Hawley (Missouri)
- Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska)
- Senator Rand Paul (Kentucky)
- Senator Todd Young (Indiana)
President Trump also contended that the War Powers Resolution itself is unconstitutional.
Senatorial Response
Senator Susan Collins, one of the five Republican senators criticized by the President, responded to his social media post. Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, Senator Collins stated, "I guess that means he would prefer to have [Maine's Democratic Gov. Janet] Mills or somebody else with whom he's not had a great relationship."