Senate votes to debate resolution limiting Trump's use of force in Venezuela

The Senate on Thursday voted 52-47 to take up a resolution invoking the War Powers Act aimed at curbing President Trump’s ability to use military force in Venezuela, with five Republicans joining Democrats to begin debate. The measure would force Mr. Trump to seek congressional authorization for continued U.S.

military operations in Venezuela; another vote would be needed for final passage. The move is largely considered symbolic, as it is unclear whether the House will approve it and Mr. Trump can veto the resolution if it reaches his desk. The vote came after a recent U.S. raid that removed Nicolás Maduro and his wife; the operation was carried out by elite Army Delta Force commandos and involved more than 150 military aircraft, and it resulted in more than 80 deaths and U.S.

service members injured, according to reporting. Senators who joined Democrats in supporting debate included Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Todd Young, and some cited changes in circumstances and the president’s comments about possible continued involvement in Venezuela in explaining their votes.

Debate on the resolution will proceed, but its prospects remain uncertain. Also on Thursday, Venezuela’s National Assembly president Jorge Rodríguez announced authorities would release "an important number" of political prisoners in the next few hours but did not specify how many, and Colombia’s president, Gustavo Petro, said a recent phone call with Mr.

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Venezuela, War Powers Act, U.s. Senate, Nicolas Maduro