Republicans blocked measures, but last vote was 49-51 as two GOP senators backed Democrats
A photograph posted by US President Donald Trump on his Truth Social account shows him sitting next to CIA Director John Ratcliffe as they watch the US military operation in Venezuela from Trump’s Mar a Lago resort, in Palm Beach, Florida, US, January 3, 2026. PHOTO:REUTERS
The US Senate is due to consider a resolution on Thursday that would block President Donald Trump from taking further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorization, and backers say the measure could pass in a close vote.
Days after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas, senators will vote on the latest in a series of war powers measures introduced since the administration ramped up military pressure on the country with attacks on boats off its coast in September.
Republicans have blocked all of the measures so far, but the last vote was 49–51, with two senators from Trump’s party joining Democrats in backing a resolution in November. Administration officials had told lawmakers at that time that they did not plan regime change or strikes on Venezuelan territory.
After Maduro’s capture, some lawmakers have accused the administration of misleading Congress, including Democrats publicly and some Republicans privately.
“I spoke to at least two Republicans today who did not vote for this resolution previously who are thinking about it,” Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who is co-sponsoring the resolution, told a news conference ahead of the vote.
“I can’t guarantee you how they vote, but at least two are thinking about it, and some of them are talking publicly about their misgivings over this,” Paul said, speaking alongside Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, another leader of the effort. Paul did not identify the Republicans.
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Trump’s party holds a 53–47 majority in the Senate.
Hurdles ahead
Senate passage would be a significant victory for lawmakers who have been pushing the war powers issue.
But to become law, the resolution would have to pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and survive an expected Trump veto, which would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers.
The lawmakers acknowledged the hurdles but said some Republicans may be wary of a prolonged and expensive campaign of regime change in Venezuela.
Trump said on Wednesday on his Truth Social platform that he wanted the U.S. military budget to increase to $1.5 trillion from $1 trillion.
Kaine noted that US forces have been striking Venezuelan boats for months and cited Trump’s statement that the United States would “run” Venezuela, as well as seizures of Venezuelan oil.
“This is not a surgical arrest operation by any stretch,” Kaine said.
The US Constitution requires any president to obtain Congress’ approval before launching a prolonged military operation.
Senators who oppose the war powers resolution argue that the seizure of Maduro was a law enforcement operation, not a military action. Maduro faces trial in a US court on drug and gun charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.
They also say Trump is within his authority as commander-in-chief to launch limited military actions he deems necessary for national security.
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