Jan 9, 2026 03:25 AM
(This post was last modified: Jan 9, 2026 03:44 AM by C C.)
https://www.asiaone.com/world/us-senate-...war-powers
EXCERPTS: The US Senate advanced a resolution on Thursday (Jan 8) that would bar President Donald Trump from further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation, a rare rebuke of the Republican leader.
The vote on a procedural measure to advance the war powers resolution was 52 to 47, as five of Trump's Republicans voted with every Democrat in favour of moving ahead. One Republican senator did not vote.
The vote took place days after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas on Saturday. The rebuke for Trump, a day after senior cabinet members briefed every member of Congress about its Venezuela policy, marked a shift in the 100-member Senate.
It was a significant victory for lawmakers who have been arguing that Congress, not the president, should have the power to send troops to war, as spelled out in the Constitution.
However, the resolution faces steep hurdles before going into effect. Even if it passes the Senate, the resolution must also pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and garner two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate to survive an expected Trump veto.
[...] After the vote, Kaine said it was a "big victory," telling reporters: "None of us should want this president, or any president, to take our sons and daughters to war without notice, consultation, debate and vote in Congress."
The five Republicans who voted to move ahead were Paul, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Todd Young of Indiana. Trump's party holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate.
Trump said the five "should never be elected to office again." He said on his Truth Social website: "Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America." (MORE - missing details)
EXCERPTS: The US Senate advanced a resolution on Thursday (Jan 8) that would bar President Donald Trump from further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorisation, a rare rebuke of the Republican leader.
The vote on a procedural measure to advance the war powers resolution was 52 to 47, as five of Trump's Republicans voted with every Democrat in favour of moving ahead. One Republican senator did not vote.
The vote took place days after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a dramatic military raid in Caracas on Saturday. The rebuke for Trump, a day after senior cabinet members briefed every member of Congress about its Venezuela policy, marked a shift in the 100-member Senate.
It was a significant victory for lawmakers who have been arguing that Congress, not the president, should have the power to send troops to war, as spelled out in the Constitution.
However, the resolution faces steep hurdles before going into effect. Even if it passes the Senate, the resolution must also pass the Republican-led House of Representatives and garner two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate to survive an expected Trump veto.
[...] After the vote, Kaine said it was a "big victory," telling reporters: "None of us should want this president, or any president, to take our sons and daughters to war without notice, consultation, debate and vote in Congress."
The five Republicans who voted to move ahead were Paul, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Todd Young of Indiana. Trump's party holds a 53-47 majority in the Senate.
Trump said the five "should never be elected to office again." He said on his Truth Social website: "Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America." (MORE - missing details)