Five Republicans joined their Democratic Party colleagues to advance the measure to the Senate floor.
The legislative branch of the U.S. government is attempting to restore some of its authority in matters of war and peace.
Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s removal of Nicolas Maduro from power in Venezuela, and amid claims the U.S. will ‘run’ the country and may put boots on the ground, 52 Senators voted to advance a war powers measure that would limit Trump’s ability to use force against Venezuela without congressional approval.
As noted by NBC News, the legislation was co-sponsored by both Democrats and Republicans:
“The legislation, led by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., was co-sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.”
The measure is likely to pass in the Senate, but faces an uncertain future in the House. And even if it passed there, Trump would likely veto it:
“The procedural motion Thursday sets up a full Senate vote on the measure next week; that will also require a simple majority and is expected to pass. It is subject to House approval and a presidential signature, making it unlikely to become law. But it sends a significant message to Trump that could impact his foreign policy moves going forward — in Venezuela and other countries.”
Trump lashed out following the advancement of the measure:
“Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief.”
There is even stronger pushback against Trump’s desire to ‘take’ Greenland, with a growing number of Republican Senators joining their Democratic colleagues in standing up for the territorial integrity of Denmark and Greenland, as I wrote about here:
This growing pushback is a positive development for Canada. The more institutional opposition there is to Trump’s efforts to unilaterally seize territory, the higher the chances are that the norms surrounding the sovereignty of nations and the inviolability of NATO will endure.
Spencer Fernando
Image – YouTube
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