House Rejects Resolution to Block Trump's Venezuela Military Action
The US House of Representatives has narrowly rejected a resolution that would have barred former President Donald Trump from deploying US military forces to Venezuela. The vote, which fell just short of the majority required for passage, underscores the tenuous hold of House Speaker Mike Johnson over his Republican majority and reveals growing pushback within Congress against presidential aggressions in the western hemisphere.
A Tight Vote and Procedural Controversy
On Thursday, the Democratic-backed war powers resolution was defeated after Republican leaders held the vote open for over twenty minutes. This delay allowed Republican congressman Wesley Hunt, who had been campaigning in Texas for a Senate seat, to rush back to Capitol Hill in Washington DC and cast the decisive vote. Democrats on the House floor responded with shouts, accusing Republican leaders of violating procedural rules.
The resolution would have directed Trump to remove any US troops from Venezuela, though the Trump administration has stated there are currently no troops on the ground in the South American country. It also committed to seeking congressional approval before launching major military operations there. Despite this, Democrats argued the measure was necessary following a surprise nighttime raid earlier this month, in which US troops captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an action that left Congress uninformed.
Republican Divisions and Broader Implications
The vote saw two Republicans, Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky, join all Democrats in supporting the legislation. This division highlights the challenges Speaker Johnson faces in maintaining unity within his party. The tied vote in the House follows a similar deadlock in the Senate last week, which was only broken when JD Vance cast the deciding vote.
This episode represents the latest test in Congress regarding the extent of leeway Republicans will grant a president who campaigned on reducing US foreign entanglements but has increasingly turned to military options. So far, most Republicans have declined to impose checks on Trump through war powers votes, but figures like Bacon have expressed frustration with Trump's aggressive foreign policy, voting for the resolution despite its limited scope to Venezuela.
Debate Over War Powers and Foreign Policy
Brian Mast, the Republican chair of the House armed services committee, accused Democrats of bringing the resolution to a vote out of "spite" for Trump. In contrast, Democrats, led by Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee, argued that Congress must assert its role in determining when the president can use wartime powers. They have forced a series of votes in both chambers as Trump has escalated his campaign against Maduro and focused on other international conflicts.
Trump's recent military actions, including threats over Greenland and tensions with NATO allies, have reignited debates over the War Powers Act, a legacy of the Vietnam war era. While Trump has since backed away from some threats against European allies, the ongoing discussions in Congress reflect deep concerns about presidential overreach and the balance of power in US foreign policy.
