Republicans Block Senate Resolution to Curb Trump's Venezuela Efforts

Senate Republicans voted to block a war-powers resolution that would have limited President Trump's ability to take military action in Venezuela, after the president pressured party members to oppose the measure.

Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a war-powers resolution that would have prohibited President Trump from taking further military action in Venezuela without authorization from Congress. The measure had earlier won unusual bipartisan support when a small group of Republicans joined Democrats to advance it. Supporters said recent U.S. actions related to Venezuela raised constitutional questions about the scope of presidential authority. The White House and a Justice Department legal opinion described the operation as a law‑enforcement action that did not rise to the level of war in the constitutional sense. Key facts: - The Senate voted 51-50 on a Republican point of order to dismiss the war‑powers resolution. - A few Republicans initially backed advancing the measure but some reversed after pressure from President Trump and outreach from administration officials. - A redacted Office of Legal Counsel opinion concluded the Venezuela action did not amount to an unconstitutional war, a view cited by the administration. - Even if the Senate had passed the measure, it would have needed passage in the House and would face a likely presidential veto requiring substantial majorities to override. Summary: The vote underscored congressional concern about the allocation of war powers and the administration's legal rationale for actions involving Venezuela. Undetermined at this time.