Washington, DC – In a rare bipartisan rebuke to President Donald Trump, the U.S. Senate voted 52-47 on Thursday to advance a War Powers Resolution that would prohibit further U.S. military hostilities “within or against Venezuela” without explicit congressional authorization or a declaration of war.
The procedural vote, led by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) with support from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), clears the way for a full Senate debate and final passage vote expected next week. All 47 Democrats voted in favor, joined by five Republicans: Sens. Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rand Paul (KY), Josh Hawley (MO), and Todd Young (IN).
The resolution comes just days after a dramatic U.S. military raid on January 3 captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence in Caracas. The operation, involving special forces and airstrikes to suppress defenses, brought the couple to New York to face long-standing narcoterrorism and drug trafficking charges. Maduro and Flores pleaded not guilty in federal court.
President Trump has described the raid as a “brilliant” and “perfectly executed” law enforcement action, emphasizing U.S. intentions to temporarily “run” Venezuela, stabilize the country, and open its vast oil reserves—estimated at 30-50 million barrels initially—to American companies. Administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have outlined plans for U.S. oversight of oil sales and a political transition.
Critics, including Kaine, argue the operation and Trump’s subsequent statements risk escalating into prolonged military involvement without congressional oversight, violating the Constitution’s allocation of war powers to Congress. “Congress needs to reassert its authority,” Kaine said, noting the raid surprised lawmakers and raised concerns about “forever wars.”
Republican defectors emphasized restraint on future actions while praising the raid’s success. Sen. Collins stated she supports the Maduro capture but opposes “long-term military involvement” without approval. Sen. Young echoed Trump’s campaign against endless entanglements.
President Trump sharply criticized the vote on social media, calling the defecting Republicans “ashamed” and arguing the resolution hampers national security and his commander-in-chief authority. Vice President JD Vance dismissed the underlying War Powers Act as “unconstitutional.”
The measure faces significant hurdles: even if passed by the Senate, it must clear the Republican-controlled House and overcome a likely presidential veto, requiring two-thirds majorities in both chambers.
International reactions remain mixed, with allies criticizing the raid as a sovereignty violation, while some Venezuelan diaspora communities celebrate Maduro’s removal.
