U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks to reporters with U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, R-Va., during a meeting with reporters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 7, 2026, in Washington. (Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – In a scarce rebuke to President Donald Trump, Senate Republicans joined Democrats in advancing a war powers resolution aimed at halting U.S. military actions in Venezuela without congressional approval.
Republican Sens. Todd Young of Indiana, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have split with their party to stop the administration’s exploit of military force — as has Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, co-author of the measure with Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia.
The move was a significant moment after Republicans on Capitol Hill largely facilitated Trump’s agenda throughout the past year.
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania also unexpectedly supported the measure by a 52-47 vote. Sen. Steve Daines, a Montana Republican, did not vote.
The joint resolution Directs “the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.”
Thursday’s vote passed the legislation after clearing a procedural hurdle. The bill still requires a final vote in the Senate before it moves to the House of Representatives.
The vote comes days after U.S. special forces carried out a surprise night attack on Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, on Saturday, capturing the country’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Cilia Flores. The pair appeared in federal court on Monday on federal drug and conspiracy charges.
In September, the United States launched a bombing campaign off the coast of Venezuela, hitting compact ships in the Caribbean Sea that the administration said were operated by “narco-terrorists.” In December, the death toll from the strikes exceeded 100.
Kaine forced Thursday’s procedural vote under the Vietnam War Powers Resolution statute this gives Congress control over the president’s exploit of the military abroad.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth gave a secret update to members of Congress on Capitol Hill Wednesday regarding the ongoing U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. Democrats said they were not satisfied with the information provided during the meetings.
