Senate Republicans block bill to curb Trump’s war powers on Venezuela

Republicans in the US Senate narrowly blocked a Democratic-led bill that would have forced President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before launching any military action against Venezuela, a move that underscores growing fears of a regional escalation.

The measure failed 51–49 on Thursday, despite two Republican senators, Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski, crossing party lines to support it.

“We should not be going to war without a vote of Congress,” said Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, who co-sponsored the bill.

The vote comes amid a sharp US military buildup off South America, where American warships, a nuclear submarine, and the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford have been deployed. The US has conducted multiple deadly strikes on boats near Venezuela and Colombia, claiming that the vessels were smuggling drugs.

At least 65 people have been killed in those attacks, which regional leaders, international law experts, and families of the victims say amount to extrajudicial killings.

“It’s really an open secret that this is much more about potential regime change,” warned Senator Adam Schiff, referring to Washington’s long-running push to topple Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Trump has accused Maduro of drug trafficking and hinted at military action to oust him. On Thursday, two US B-52 bombers flew parallel to Venezuela’s coastline, the fourth such show of force since mid-October.

Public support for a military strike remains minimal: a YouGov poll found only 18 percent of Americans back even limited use of force against Caracas, while 74 percent say presidents should not be able to order foreign attacks without congressional approval.

Despite that, most Senate Republicans backed Trump, framing the strikes as part of an anti-narcotics mission.

“President Trump has taken decisive action to protect thousands of Americans from lethal narcotics,” said Senator Jim Risch, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The failed vote highlights Congress’s limited leverage under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, and the enduring power of presidents to act first and ask questions later.