US Senate Pushes Back Against Trump's War Powers in Venezuela, With Some GOP Senators Defying the President
In a move to curb President Donald Trump's war powers, the US Senate has advanced a measure to limit his ability to wage war "within or against Venezuela" without Congressional approval. The measure passed the upper house with a narrow margin of 52-47, as five Republicans broke party ranks to vote in favor of Democrats.
The defection from Trump's party members immediately sparked outrage, with the president taking to Truth Social to lash out at the dissenters. He labeled them "stupid" and warned that they should "never be elected again."
However, some GOP senators have defended their votes, citing the need for Congressional oversight. Senator Josh Hawley, who broke ranks, explained his decision by referencing the Constitution's War Powers Act. According to Hawley, if Trump plans to deploy troops to Venezuela in the future, Congress would need to vote on it.
Senator Rand Paul, another Republican who defied the president, echoed similar sentiments. He described Trump's actions as an "act of war" and argued that no provision in the Constitution grants such power to the presidency. Paul emphasized that any self-respecting congressman would reject this notion.
Senator Susan Collins, meanwhile, expressed support for US efforts to capture Venezuelan President NicolΓ‘s Maduro but took issue with Trump's comments about deploying additional US forces without Congressional approval. She stated that invoking the War Powers Act is necessary in light of the president's remarks on "boots on the ground" and a sustained engagement in Venezuela.
The resolution now heads to a full Senate vote, which may occur next week following an amendment process.
In a move to curb President Donald Trump's war powers, the US Senate has advanced a measure to limit his ability to wage war "within or against Venezuela" without Congressional approval. The measure passed the upper house with a narrow margin of 52-47, as five Republicans broke party ranks to vote in favor of Democrats.
The defection from Trump's party members immediately sparked outrage, with the president taking to Truth Social to lash out at the dissenters. He labeled them "stupid" and warned that they should "never be elected again."
However, some GOP senators have defended their votes, citing the need for Congressional oversight. Senator Josh Hawley, who broke ranks, explained his decision by referencing the Constitution's War Powers Act. According to Hawley, if Trump plans to deploy troops to Venezuela in the future, Congress would need to vote on it.
Senator Rand Paul, another Republican who defied the president, echoed similar sentiments. He described Trump's actions as an "act of war" and argued that no provision in the Constitution grants such power to the presidency. Paul emphasized that any self-respecting congressman would reject this notion.
Senator Susan Collins, meanwhile, expressed support for US efforts to capture Venezuelan President NicolΓ‘s Maduro but took issue with Trump's comments about deploying additional US forces without Congressional approval. She stated that invoking the War Powers Act is necessary in light of the president's remarks on "boots on the ground" and a sustained engagement in Venezuela.
The resolution now heads to a full Senate vote, which may occur next week following an amendment process.