
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted 51-50 on Wednesday to effectively block a resolution that would have prevented President Donald Trump from using military force in Venezuela without congressional approval after Trump flipped two Republican votes in recent days. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Todd Young, R-Ind.
Main Idea: The Senate blocked a measure that would have limited President Donald Trump’s ability to order strikes in Venezuela without congressional approval after he won back support from two Republicans.
Key Points:
The Senate’s vote makes a Venezuela strike without clear congressional approval more likely, which could raise war risks, unsettle markets, and put US troops and taxpayers on the hook.
Congressional debate still creates some check on presidential war powers and may lower the chance of a rushed military move.
Rate how each entity in this article affected the American people.
Central actor whose pressure and position on Venezuela strikes drive the vote and the story.
Republican votes and pressure from Trump are central to the outcome.
The chamber that voted on and blocked the resolution; the main institutional actor.
His letter and assurances are cited as part of why Senator Josh Hawley changed his vote.
Champion of the measure and major voice arguing for congressional checks on Trump.
One of the Republican senators whose changed vote is a key focus of the article.
Led the war powers resolution and is central to the Senate maneuvering.
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Sign in to commentOne of the Republican senators whose changed vote is a key focus of the article.
Cast the tiebreaking Senate vote that killed the resolution.
Democratic senators largely supported the measure and are part of the vote breakdown.
Senator Todd Young’s home state, relevant only through his identification as an Indiana senator.
Senator Josh Hawley’s home state, relevant only through his identification as a Missouri senator.