The U.S. Senate is expected to vote Thursday on a war powers resolution that would require President Donald Trump to obtain congressional approval before carrying out further military action against Venezuela, following a surprise nighttime raid in which U.S. forces seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Lawmakers backing the measure say the vote tests whether Congress will reassert its constitutional authority as Trump expands his ambitions in the Western Hemisphere, including public musings about Greenland.
“It’s time for Congress to assert its control over military action of this kind, and it’s time to get this out of secrecy and put it in the light,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., who forced the vote.
Republican leaders said they were not notified in advance of the operation but largely welcomed briefings afterward, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., saying Trump had shown “a very strong commitment to peace through strength.”
Some Republicans said they were still weighing their votes, with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., saying, “We have a history of going in, liberating and leaving. I’m interested in the leaving part,” and adding that he would not support deploying troops “without congressional authorization.”
Democrats argue Trump is pushing war powers beyond their limits, with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer asking, “The American people are asking what the hell is going on in Venezuela and why is this president, who campaigned on ‘America First,’ now spending all his time and energy on escapades overseas?”