US Congress Threatens War Powers Vote Against Trump's Unauthorized Venezuela Military Operations

A bipartisan group of US senators declared Tuesday they would initiate a War Powers Resolution should President Donald Trump authorize military strikes within Venezuela, calling such action "unauthorized" and "a costly mistake."

Democratic Senators Tim Kaine, Chuck Schumer, Adam Schiff, and Republican Senator Rand Paul issued a joint statement emphasizing that unauthorized military action against Venezuela would unnecessarily risk American servicemembers' lives. They committed to forcing a congressional debate and vote to block the use of US forces in hostilities against or within Venezuela if such strikes occur.

Several Republican-led congressional committees have already launched investigations into the US military campaign operating off Venezuela's coast. This represents the second instance in recent days where members of Trump's own party have expressed concerns about his policy initiatives, following criticism last week regarding the administration's handling of a Ukraine peace plan they perceived as favoring Russia.

Lawmakers' concerns about Venezuela center on the administration conducting a months-long military campaign without congressional approval. Additionally, they cited reports that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered a second strike on September 2 to eliminate survivors of an initial strike—an action potentially violating international law.

Senator Mike Rounds, a Republican serving on both the Armed Services and Intelligence committees, acknowledged potential legal issues, stating, "My understanding is that we may have a problem if you're killing survivors in the water after a strike." He indicated that determinations would follow once all facts were established.

Over the past three months, US troops have conducted at least 21 strikes against alleged drug boats in Caribbean and Pacific waters, resulting in at least 83 fatalities. These actions represent an escalation in Trump's military buildup against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt defended the September 2 strikes, stating that Hegseth had authorized Admiral Frank Bradley to conduct operations that were executed in international waters to protect US interests and in accordance with armed conflict laws.

Several lawmakers have previously attempted to force Trump to obtain congressional approval for the campaign, citing the Constitutional requirement that grants Congress, not the president, the power to declare war. However, Senate Republicans have blocked multiple resolutions—one in November that would have prevented attacks on Venezuelan territory without authorization, and another in October aimed at halting boat strikes.