Overview
- The Senate rejected a bipartisan war powers resolution 51–49, with Republicans largely opposing the measure and only Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski crossing the aisle.
- Administration briefers told Congress they have no legal basis for strikes inside Venezuela and are seeking a separate Justice Department opinion to authorize potential land operations.
- U.S. forces have conducted 16 acknowledged strikes on suspected drug-smuggling boats since early September, with at least 65 to 67 people reported killed.
- The White House describes those targeted as narco-terrorists and says drones launched from naval vessels keep U.S. personnel out of harm’s way, but it has provided limited public evidence.
- UN human rights experts warned the repeated lethal attacks at sea may amount to international crimes and urged an immediate halt and impartial investigations, as the U.S. builds up regional forces including the USS Gerald R. Ford.