Key Senate Republicans reversed their earlier positions and helped defeat a bipartisan effort aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s authority over U.S. operations involving Venezuela.
The proposal had been introduced to require greater congressional approval before any future military or enforcement actions could be taken. Earlier support from some Republicans had suggested the measure might pass, but several lawmakers changed their votes after the administration said there were no plans to send U.S. ground troops into Venezuela.
The resolution was also tied to concerns following recent U.S. action that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which raised questions in Congress about how much power the president should have to act without legislative approval.
By blocking the measure, Senate Republicans preserved Trump’s current authority to direct U.S. actions related to Venezuela without additional congressional limits. The vote highlighted deep divisions in Washington over war powers and the scope of executive authority in foreign operations.