WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans voted Thursday to reject legislation that would have placed limits on President Donald Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela. Democrats have been pressing Congress to take a stronger role in overseeing Trump’s high-stakes campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Lawmakers, including top Republicans, have demanded that the Trump administration provide more information on the U.S. military strikes against alleged drug-smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. However, Thursday’s vote—on legislation that would essentially prevent an attack on Venezuelan soil without congressional authorization—suggests Republicans are willing to give Trump leeway to continue his buildup of naval forces in the region.
“President Trump has taken decisive action to protect thousands of Americans from lethal narcotics,” said Sen. Jim Risch, the Republican chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Still, the vote allowed Democrats to press their GOP colleagues on Trump’s threats against Venezuela. The legislation failed to advance by a 49-51 margin, with Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska the only Republicans voting in favor.
The U.S. is assembling an unusually large force in the Caribbean Sea, including its most advanced aircraft carrier, leading many to conclude that Trump intends to go beyond intercepting cocaine-running boats. The campaign so far has killed at least 66 people in 16 known strikes.
“It’s really an open secret that this is much more about potential regime change,” said Sen. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who pushed the resolution. “If that’s where the administration is headed, if that’s what we’re risking involvement in a war, then Congress needs to be heard on this.”
### Some Republicans Uneasy With Caribbean Campaign
Republican leadership pressed Thursday to ensure the legislation’s failure, but several senators carefully considered their votes. Sen. Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who voted against the resolution, expressed doubts about the campaign.
He pointed out the expense involved in redeploying an aircraft carrier and questioned whether those funds could be better used securing the U.S.-Mexico border to stop fentanyl trafficking. Tillis added, “If the campaign continues for several months more, then we have to have a real discussion about whether or not we’re engaging in some sort of hybrid war.”
Sen. Todd Young of Indiana stated he voted against the legislation because he did not believe it was “necessary or appropriate at this time.” However, he said he was “troubled by many aspects and assumptions of this operation” and believed it conflicted with the majority of Americans who want the U.S. military less entangled in international conflicts.
### The Push for Congressional Oversight
As the Trump administration reconfigures U.S. priorities overseas, frustration among lawmakers—including some Republicans—has been growing over recent Pentagon actions.
At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing earlier Thursday, Sen. Roger Wicker, the Republican chair, acknowledged that many senators have “serious concerns about the Pentagon’s policy office,” and that Congress was not being adequately consulted on actions such as pausing Ukraine security assistance, reducing U.S. troop numbers in Romania, and formulating the National Defense Strategy.
Several GOP senators have directed criticism toward the Department of Defense’s policy office, led by Elbridge Colby, who has advocated for the U.S. to reduce its involvement in international alliances.
“It just seems like there’s this pigpen-like mess coming out of the policy shop,” Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican and chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said during another Armed Services hearing earlier this week.
### Administration Outreach and Continued Congressional Tensions
In response to mounting pushback on Capitol Hill, the Trump administration has stepped up outreach efforts to lawmakers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held a classified briefing for congressional leaders Wednesday.
The officials provided details on the intelligence used to target the boats and allowed senators to review the legal rationale for the attacks but did not discuss whether they planned a direct attack against Venezuela, according to lawmakers present.
Despite this, Democrats have continued to test Republican unease by forcing votes on the potential for an attack on Venezuela under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, which was intended to reassert congressional authority over declarations of war.
A previous War Powers vote related to strikes against boats in international waters also failed last month by a narrow margin of 48-51. Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, who pushed the legislation, said he plans to force more votes.
“We should not be going to war without a vote of Congress. The lives of our troops are at stake,” Kaine said in a floor speech.
### Democratic Criticism of the Military Campaign
Democrats also argue that the Trump administration is using a weak legal justification for an expansive military campaign that endangers U.S. troops and the nation’s reputation.
Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Armed Services panel, accused President Trump of engaging in “violence without a strategic objective” while failing to take necessary actions to address fentanyl smuggling.
“You cannot bomb your way out of a drug crisis,” Reed said.
© Associated Press 2024
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