US Senate blocks measure to limit Trump's military authority on Venezuela

A legislative effort to restrict President Donald Trump's power to launch military strikes against Venezuela was defeated in the US Senate on Thursday. The resolution, which required congressional authorization for any such action, failed by a narrow vote of 49 to 51, with Republican lawmakers largely opposing the measure.

Constitutional War Powers at Stake

The bill's sponsor, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, argued that the constitutional power to declare war resides with Congress, not the presidency. "We should not be going to war without a vote of Congress. The lives of our troops are at stake," Kaine stated during a floor speech. The vote underscores a deep political divide over the scope of executive power in military engagements, even as US forces, including an aircraft carrier, continue a buildup in the Caribbean.

Counter-Narcotics or Regime Change?

Republicans defended the administration's posture, framing it as a necessary counter-narcotics operation. Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, asserted, "President Trump has taken decisive action to protect thousands of Americans from lethal narcotics." Conversely, prominent Democrats accused the White House of having ulterior motives. Representative Adam Schiff contended, "It’s really an open secret that this is much more about potential regime change."

Growing Unease and Legal Challenges

The debate revealed bipartisan concerns about the campaign's legal footing and long-term strategy. Some Republicans, like Senator Thom Tillis, questioned the mission's duration and costs, warning of a potential "hybrid war." Democrats pointed to the human cost, noting that 16 operations have killed at least 66 people, and challenged the legal basis for executing individuals without due process. Despite its certain veto, the resolution forced a public record on a significant foreign policy dispute with implications for global stability.