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Senate Blocks Venezuela War Powers Vote After GOP Flips as Vance Breaks Tie

Administration assurances that no U.S. troops are in Venezuela persuaded two Republicans to reverse course.

Overview

  • Republican leaders prevailed on a point of order that the measure no longer qualified for fast-track consideration because there were no ongoing hostilities or U.S. forces in Venezuela.
  • Sens. Josh Hawley and Todd Young switched positions after Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there are no troops on the ground and pledged to notify Congress before any major deployment.
  • Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote to sustain the objection, resulting in a 51–50 tally that prevented a final up-or-down vote.
  • Sens. Rand Paul, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins continued to back advancement of the resolution, as President Trump pressured GOP defectors with calls and public criticism.
  • The effort followed a U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro, and Rubio agreed to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as supporters signal further oversight attempts.