The U.S. Senate voted 52-47 to advance a war powers resolution limiting President Trump’s military action in Venezuela.
Five Republicans joined Democrats in advancing the resolution: Susan Collins (ME), Todd Young (IN), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Josh Hawley (MO), and Rand Paul (KY).
President Trump issued a strong rebuke of the resolution on social media. “Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America,” he wrote on Truth Social, declaring that the senators “should never be elected to office again.”
“This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief,” he continued. “In any event, and despite their ‘stupidity,’ the War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me. Nevertheless, a more important Senate Vote will be taking place next week on this very subject.”
The resolution aims to “direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.”
“The question of whether United States forces should be engaged in hostilities within or against Venezuela should be answered following a full briefing to Congress and the American public of the issues at stake, a public debate in Congress, and a congressional vote as contemplated by the Constitution,” the joint resolution further asserts.
“The American people do not want to be dragged into endless war with Venezuela without public debate or a vote,” Paul said of the resolution. “We ought to defend what the Constitution demands: deliberation before war.”
