US House of Representatives fails to support restrictions on military action against Venezuela
The US House of Representatives has rejected two resolutions initiated by Democrats that questioned the military actions of President Donald Trump's administration in the Caribbean and against Venezuela. This is reported by The Public with reference to CNN.
The first document, authored by the chairman of the Democratic minority in the Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks, proposed to oblige the president to withdraw US troops from combat operations against terrorist organisations in the Western Hemisphere designated by the White House without a declaration of war or congressional authorisation. The resolution was not supported by a minimum margin of six votes. 216 congressmen voted against it, while 210 voted in favour. It was supported by most Democrats and two Republicans.
The second resolution was introduced by Democrat Jim McGovern. It provided for the withdrawal of the US Armed Forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela without congressional authorisation. The initiative was rejected by 213 to 211 votes. Three Republicans voted in favour of the document, while one Democrat opposed it.
Both resolutions, if approved by the House of Representatives, would also have to be approved by the US Senate to become law. The vote demonstrated the deep partisan divide over US foreign and military policy, as well as the limited support for Congressional attempts to curb the White House's actions.
