Republicans block attempt to limit Trump's powers over Venezuela

The Republican majority in the US Senate has voted down a resolution that would have limited President Donald Trump's military powers over Venezuela. According to The New York Times, the key role in the failure of the initiative was played by pressure from the leadership of the Republican Party and the White House on senators who had previously supported the document.

The resolution required that the president receive separate congressional approval for any US military action against Venezuela. The resolution was sponsored by Democratic senators along with Republican Rand Paul. However, Senators Josh Hawley and Todd Young, who had voted in favour last week, changed their position. As a result, the vote ended with a 50-50 split, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the deciding vote, siding with the Republican leadership.

The change in the senators' position came after a sharp reaction from Trump, who publicly criticised his fellow party members, as well as assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a letter to the Senate, he emphasised that the US operation in Venezuela is limited, US troops are no longer in the country, and any future actions will comply with the Constitution and the procedure for informing Congress.

At the same time, Democrats insist that the US actually continues its military and power presence, in particular through strikes on Venezuelan ships and control over the country's key economic assets. In their view, the ouster of President Nicolas Maduro and further actions by Washington should be clearly regulated by Congress.

The failure of this resolution was the third failed attempt in a year to return real control to Congress over decisions on war and the use of force, which critics say only strengthens presidential powers in the field of foreign policy.

Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images

US, Trump, Venezuela, Congress, war powers