Senate Republicans block Venezuela war powers resolution
NPR • • nation
Key Points:
- Senate Republicans blocked a war powers resolution that would have required President Trump to obtain congressional approval before conducting further military actions in Venezuela, with the final vote tied 51-50 and Vice President JD Vance casting the deciding vote.
- The resolution's defeat followed a rare initial bipartisan move when five Republicans joined Democrats to advance the measure, prompting President Trump to criticize and call for the removal of those GOP defectors.
- Two Republicans who initially supported the resolution, Senators Josh Hawley and Todd Young, reversed their positions after discussions with administration officials, citing assurances about the absence of American troops in Venezuela and commitments to seek congressional authorization for major military operations.
- The other three Republican defectors—Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Rand Paul—
