Overview
- The Kaine-led resolution would require prior congressional authorization for any U.S. military action within or against Venezuela.
- Five Republicans — Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Josh Hawley and Todd Young — joined all Democrats to advance it 52-47, setting up a final Senate vote next week.
- Even if the Senate passes it, the measure faces an uncertain path in the House and an expected presidential veto.
- The push follows the U.S. operation that seized Nicolás Maduro, which the administration defends as a lawful law-enforcement action under a Justice Department warrant, a rationale many lawmakers dispute as unauthorized use of force.
- House Democrats are preparing additional levers — including funding restrictions and further war-powers measures — and some lawmakers are exploring similar limits for places Trump has threatened, such as Greenland.