The attempt to limit the powers of US President Donald Trump and possible others Military strikes against Venezuela only after a vote in Congress to allow has failed.
The Republican leadership in the US Senate managed to convince enough senators to vote against the so-called War Powers Resolution. Vice President JD Vance’s vote was decisive after the Senate vote ended in a 50-vote tie.
The vote shows that, almost a year after Trump took office, Republicans are still unwilling to stop the president. The close election result is also a sign that more and more politicians within the party are questioning the government’s actions.
Democratic group leader Chuck Schumer said afterwards that the vote was further evidence that his Republican colleagues had completely given up their oversight. “Republicans in the Senate continue to rally behind Donald Trump, no matter how reckless, no matter how unconstitutional, no matter the potential cost to American lives,” the New York senator said during a press conference after the vote.
Forced into submission?
Senator Tim Kaine, one of the resolution’s sponsors, described the election results as disappointing. His Republican colleagues once again allowed themselves to be “forced into submission” by the president.
Republicans defended their decision by saying the motion was trying to stop something that wasn’t happening at all. In total, three Republicans voted for the motion. Last week, during a procedural vote, there were five Republicans. The Senators Josh Hawley and Todd Young, however, changed their vote under pressure from party leadership and the government.
Hawley explained his decision by saying his concerns had been assuaged after several meetings with the White House and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “The secretary of state told me directly that the administration will not send ground troops to Venezuela,” Hawley said. Young was also persuaded by government assurances.
Trump warned after the military operation that led to the arrest of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that they would not shy away from carrying out another military strike if necessary.