US Senate to vote on reining in Trump on Venezuela
Following Maduro’s capture, some lawmakers have accused the administration of misleading Congress, including Democrats publicly and some Republicans behind the scenes.
The US Senate is set to consider a resolution on Thursday that would block President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation, with backers saying the measure could pass in a close vote.
Days after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas, senators will vote on the latest in a series of war powers measures introduced since the administration ramped up military pressure on the country with attacks on boats off its coast in September.
Republicans have blocked all of the measures so far, but the last vote ended narrowly at 49–51, after two senators from Trump's party joined Democrats in backing a resolution in November. At the time, administration officials told lawmakers they did not plan regime change or strikes on Venezuelan territory.
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Following Maduro's capture, some lawmakers have accused the administration of misleading Congress, including Democrats publicly and some Republicans behind the scenes.
"I spoke to at least two Republicans today who did not vote for this resolution previously and who are thinking about it," Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican and co-sponsor of the resolution, told a news conference ahead of the vote.
"I can't guarantee how they will vote, but at least two are thinking about it, and some are speaking publicly about their misgivings over this," Paul said, standing alongside Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, another lead sponsor of the resolution.
Paul did not identify the Republicans. Trump's party currently holds a 53–47 majority in the Senate.
HURDLES AHEAD
Senate passage would mark a significant victory for lawmakers pushing the war powers issue.
However, for the resolution to become law, it would need to pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and survive an expected veto from Trump, which would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers.
The lawmakers acknowledged the challenges but said some Republicans may be wary of a prolonged and costly campaign aimed at regime change in Venezuela. On Wednesday, Trump said on his Truth Social platform that he wanted the US military budget increased to $1.5 trillion from $1 trillion.
Kaine noted that US forces have been striking Venezuelan boats for months and cited Trump's statement that the US would "run" Venezuela, as well as the seizure of Venezuelan oil.
"This is not a surgical arrest operation by any stretch," Kaine said.
The US Constitution requires any president to obtain congressional approval before launching a prolonged military operation.
Senators opposing the war powers resolution argue that Maduro's seizure was a law enforcement operation rather than a military action. Maduro faces trial in a US court on drug and firearms charges, which he has pleaded not guilty to.
They also contend that Trump is acting within his authority as commander-in-chief to carry out limited military actions he deems necessary for national security.
