>
United States Senate rejects limiting Trump’s military actions in Venezuela
The resolution, promoted by Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff and Republican Rand Paul, sought to reaffirm the authority of Congress as the only body with the ability to declare war.
The United States Senate, with a Republican majority, this Thursday rejected a bipartisan resolution that sought to prohibit President Donald Trump from launching military operations in Venezuela without congressional authorization. The measure was rejected by 51 votes to 49, with only two Republican senators supporting the Democratic proposal.
The resolution, promoted by Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff and Republican Rand Paul, sought to reaffirm the authority of Congress as the only body with the ability to declare war. It is the second failed attempt to limit the executive’s power after a similar vote in October.
Also read: Trump intensifies his pressure on Maduro after the Senate’s refusal to limit his military powers
The debate coincided with statements from senior Trump Administration officials, who acknowledged before lawmakers that the Government “lacks legal justification” for attacking targets in Venezuela. The session, confidential and chaired by Secretaries of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, was the first they both offered jointly on the US campaign of attacks against alleged “drug boats” in the Caribbean.
Democratic Congressman Adam Smith noted after the meeting that “the Administration does not want to go to war with Venezuela,” although he warned that Trump “is known for his chaotic way of doing things” and could change course.
Since September 2, US attacks in the Caribbean and the Pacific have left at least 66 people dead, according to press counts and military sources. Experts and lawmakers question the legality of the operations because they have not been approved by Congress.
Meanwhile, the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford, the largest in the US fleet, heads to the Caribbean to reinforce the deployment of more than 10,000 soldiers off the Venezuelan coast. “President Trump has been clear: We will continue to target narco-terrorists who traffic illicit drugs,” said White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly.
About The Author
