U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) speaks with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), as Lori Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. President Trump’s nominee to be secretary of labor testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 19, 2025.
Kent Nishimura | Reuters
The Senate on Thursday will vote on whether to halt President Donald Trump from using the military in Venezuela without congressional authorization, less than a week after the president ordered a military strike that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro without asking the legislative branch.
The measure, known as a War Powers Resolution, only needs a simple majority to pass in the Republican-controlled Senate and would require Trump to seek Congress’ approval before using the military again in Venezuela. It’s being brought by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
“Make no mistake, bombing another nation’s capital and removing their leader is an act of war plain and simple. No provision in the Constitution provides such power to the presidency,” Paul said in a statement.
The Constitution vests Congress with the authority to declare war. Trump and his allies in Congress have argued he did not need to consult Congress on the strike that captured Maduro, which they say was a law enforcement operation. Maduro is now facing drug-related charges in New York.
The Senate shot down a similar resolution in November, after only two Republicans — Paul and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska — joined all Democrats in voting for it. Trump engaged in a monthslong military buildup around Venezuela before the action that captured Maduro.
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, meaning at least four would need to vote for the measure to pass it, even if all Democrats vote for it. The House would also need to approve the measure if it passes the Senate. Republicans have a razor-thin majority in the House.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said on Thursday she would vote for the measure.
“While I support the operation to seize Nicolas Maduro, which was extraordinary in its precision and complexity, I do not support committing additional U.S. forces or entering into any long-term military involvement in Venezuela or Greenland without specific congressional authorization,” she said in a statement.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
