Key Takeaways
- The Senate has advanced a bipartisan measure to halt further American military action in Venezuela without congressional approval.
- The war powers resolution, which cleared the procedural hurdle on a 52-47 vote, would reassert the role of Congress in engaging in hostilities with the Latin American country.
- The measure’s success came after Trump’s January 3 military incursion in Venezuela, which included the bombing of the capital city of Caracas and the capture of the country’s leader on narcoterrorism charges.
- The Constitution gives Congress the ultimate power to declare war, but the White House has said the January operation was not the beginning of a war.
- The measure’s main sponsor, Sen. Tim Kaine, plans to introduce more resolutions related to military action in other countries Trump has threatened.
Introduction to the War Powers Resolution
The Senate has taken a significant step towards reasserting its role in engaging in hostilities with foreign countries, particularly in the case of Venezuela. On January 8, the Senate advanced a bipartisan measure to halt further American military action in Venezuela without congressional approval. The war powers resolution, which cleared the procedural hurdle on a 52-47 vote, has been seen as a rebuke of President Donald Trump from lawmakers within his own party. All Democrats and five Republicans supported the measure, while Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana, did not vote.
The President’s Response
President Trump immediately denounced the group of GOP lawmakers who supported the measure, saying in a social media post that they "should never be elected to office again." This response highlights the controversy surrounding the measure and the President’s stance on the issue. The measure’s success came after Trump’s January 3 military incursion in Venezuela, which included the bombing of the capital city of Caracas, capture of the country’s leader on narcoterrorism charges, and a quarantine of the beleaguered nation’s oil reserves. While many global leaders have celebrated the toppling of Nicolas Maduro, questions remain about the legality of the Trump administration’s moves under American and international laws.
The Constitution and War Powers
The Constitution gives Congress the ultimate power to declare war. However, the White House has argued that the January operation was not the beginning of a war, but rather an execution of an American arrest warrant for Maduro, who has been wanted for years on drug charges. Yet, in the immediate aftermath of the strike deposing the country’s leader, Trump pledged the U.S. would "run" Venezuela. This has raised concerns among lawmakers about the President’s authority to engage in military action without congressional approval. The measure’s main sponsor, Sen. Tim Kaine, has been unconvinced by the White House’s arguments and plans to introduce more resolutions related to military action in other countries Trump has threatened.
Lawmakers’ Views on the Measure
Lawmakers have expressed different views on the measure, with some Republicans praising the administration for taking control of the situation in Venezuela. Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota said, "Our goal is to see a peaceful country," while Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a close Trump ally, said, "We’re in charge. If you try to undercut what we’re trying to do, you’ll pay a price." On the other hand, Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who helped introduce the war powers measure, said that the debate among lawmakers should be about who has the power to take U.S. troops to war, not about whether Maduro was a good or bad leader. He argued that America’s founders clearly left the power to declare war with Congress, as they wanted less war and a consensus on the issue.
The Road Ahead
The war powers resolution will go for a vote of final passage in the Senate before heading to the GOP-controlled House of Representatives. The measure’s success has significant implications for the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. If passed, it would reassert Congress’s role in engaging in hostilities with foreign countries and limit the President’s authority to engage in military action without congressional approval. The measure’s main sponsor, Sen. Tim Kaine, has expressed his commitment to introducing more resolutions related to military action in other countries Trump has threatened, which could lead to further debate and controversy on the issue. Ultimately, the outcome of the measure will depend on the votes of lawmakers in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and its impact on the country’s foreign policy and the balance of power between the branches of government.
