US Senate votes to limit Trump’s power to carry out operations in Venezuela

The resolution passed the Senate by 52 votes to 47, with all Democratic senators and five Republicans crossing party lines to support it. The measure would require congressional approval before any future military action could be taken against Venezuela.

However, the resolution is unlikely to become law. It must still pass the House of Representatives and would then require President Trump’s signature. The president has the power to veto it, making its ultimate passage highly improbable.

Backlash after Maduro’s seizure

The vote comes in the wake of a dramatic US military operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a surprise overnight raid. The Trump administration has since indicated it intends to take control of Venezuela’s oil resources and political leadership, intensifying concern among lawmakers about unchecked presidential power.

The administration has also been escalating its rhetoric about acquiring Greenland, a Danish territory, either through purchase or even military force, further alarming members of Congress.

Republicans break ranks

Five Republican senators voted in favour of the resolution:
Rand Paul (Kentucky), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Josh Hawley (Missouri), Susan Collins (Maine), and Todd Young (Indiana).

After the vote, President Trump lashed out on social media, saying those senators “should never be elected to office again.”

Congress seeks to reassert authority

Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who forced the vote, said Congress must reclaim its constitutional role.

“It’s time for Congress to assert its control over military action of this kind and bring it out of secrecy and into the light,” he said.

Under the US Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war, while the president serves as commander in chief. Although Congress has not formally declared war since World War II, the War Powers Resolution, passed after the Vietnam War, was designed to limit unilateral military action by presidents.

Democrats argue that President Trump is pushing those limits further than any of his predecessors.

Moves to block Greenland action

Democratic Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona announced he is preparing a separate resolution to prevent Trump from launching a military operation against Greenland.

“We must stop him before he invades another country on a whim. No more forever wars,” he wrote on X.

Senator Kaine also said similar resolutions are being prepared covering Greenland, Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Nigeria.

Republican leaders defend Trump

Republican Senate leader John Thune defended the president, saying:

“I think the president has demonstrated a strong commitment to peace through strength, especially in this hemisphere. Venezuela got that message loudly and clearly.”

However, some Republicans have gone even further in backing Trump’s authority. Senator Lindsey Graham said he would be comfortable with Trump using military force without congressional approval, including against Greenland.

“The commander in chief is the commander in chief. They can use military force,” Graham said.

Although the Senate vote is unlikely to stop President Trump’s actions in Venezuela, it sends a powerful political signal that concern is growing inside Congress over the expanding reach of the White House in military affairs.