Senate Republicans advance bid to curb Trump’s military power in Venezuela

President Donald Trump suffered a uncommon defeat by the hands of his personal occasion on Thursday when a handful of Senate Republicans rose as much as curb his use of army power in Venezuela.

The trouble to reaffirm Congress’ struggle powers, led by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., survived regardless of broad assist amongst most Senate Republicans, who argued that Trump’s use of the army in Venezuela was justified.

Among the many defectors have been Sens. Rand PaulusR-Ky., who co-sponsored the decision, Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Todd Younger, R-Ind., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo.

However Thursday’s profitable vote, which additionally handed Senate Majority Chief John Thune, R-S.D., a uncommon defeat, is simply step one earlier than the decision is formally adopted. The Senate should vote once more, this time on the 60-vote filibuster threshold, earlier than it turns into official.

TRUMP EMBRACES US intervention in Venezuela, opens door to broader push in Latin America

President Donald Trump speaks to the media throughout a press convention at his Mar-a-Lago membership on January 3, 2026 in Palm Seashore, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Photos)

Kaine’s decision would successfully finish any additional army operations involving Venezuela with out express approval from Congress. It was certainly one of a number of efforts since Trump took workplace final 12 months by the bipartisan group to reclaim Congress’ authority in contemplating army motion.

The result of the vote remained an open query, even simply earlier than the ultimate gavel.

The defectors have been uncertain whether or not to rein in Trump after a secret briefing with authorities officers on Operation Absolute Resolve, the code title of the mission to seize former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Their issues didn’t essentially should do with the precise surgical procedure itself, however with what got here afterward. And extra particularly, if there have been additional army exercise within the nation.

“We have been informed there is no such thing as a boots on the bottom proper now. Is it an possibility? What I heard was every thing is an possibility,” Hawley mentioned.

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Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., speaks to reporters outdoors the Senate Democrats’ caucus luncheon on the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 6, 2025. (Invoice Clark/Getty Photos)

However high administration officers, and several other Republicans in Congress briefed on the difficulty all through the week, argued that the assaults in Venezuela have been justified and that the army was getting used to help in a legislation enforcement operation to seize Maduro.

Nonetheless, Republican management within the Senate was assured they might get the votes wanted to kill the bipartisan decision.

“Republicans assist what the president has finished,” mentioned Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo. “It was an unbelievable act and the military was completely incredible.”

Earlier than the vote, Kaine and Paul have been already taking a look at different choices to curb the federal government’s use of army power with out congressional approval.

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Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks to reporters as he strikes via the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2026 (Heather Diehl/Getty Photos)

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Greenland emerged once more as a sizzling subject on the Hill this week, following feedback from Trump officers indicating that army motion was not off the desk to grab the colossal, resource-rich Arctic area, the place the US already has a army base.

A number of Republicans assist the concept of ​​shopping for the territory from Denmark, however haven’t but dedicated to claiming it by power. There are additionally different international locations which can be in Trump’s crosshairs or have lengthy been in Trump’s crosshairs for conquest, and the duo needs to verify Congress has a say in them.

“We’ll work with others to introduce resolutions on Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Greenland,” Kaine mentioned. “And Nigeria – individuals weren’t paying consideration, however there was an American army assault in Nigeria.”

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Paul mentioned he would seemingly assist future resolutions on struggle powers, given his sturdy emotions about Congress’s constitutional authority.

“I supported most of them, all of them,” Paul mentioned. “I’ll most likely proceed to assist them as a result of I – there may be additionally some symbolism in there, and symbolism is about who ought to provoke and declare the struggle, which I really feel strongly about.”