Senate Republicans Press Colleagues to Block War Powers Vote on Venezuela

Republican leaders in the Senate are mounting a last-minute effort to persuade fellow G.O.P. senators to change their votes and block a resolution that would require President Trump to seek congressional approval for U.S. military actions related to Venezuela. The lobbying has already produced one switch: Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri reversed his earlier vote, saying Secretary of State Marco Rubio and President Trump convinced him the measure was not needed.

The resolution had advanced with five Republicans joining all Democrats, prompting a sharp rebuke from Mr. Trump, who called the defections “stupidity” and said the senators should lose their seats. Leaders are arguing that U.S. forces are no longer operating in Venezuela and that the mission — called Operation Absolute Resolve — is complete.

Senator James R. Risch sought confirmation that the operation had ended; in a response Secretary Rubio said “there are currently no U.S. armed forces in Venezuela” and that any future actions placing forces into hostilities would be undertaken “consistent with the Constitution” and with notifications under the War Powers Resolution.

Democrats countered that U.S. military action continues, with Senator Tim Kaine saying, “There are U.S. military seizing Venezuelan oil every day. There’s U.S.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Venezuela, Operation Absolute Resolve, War Powers Resolution, Josh Hawley