Senate Confronts Presidential War Powers in a Pivotal Vote After Maduro Ouster!

Democratic leaders in both chambers were quick to condemn the operation as unconstitutional. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said that acting without congressional authorization was reckless and illegal, arguing that the mission was more akin to war than a targeted strike on criminal syndicates. Progressive members went further, with some calling the decision an “impeachable offense”—asserting that removing a foreign head of state by military force was beyond the scope of inherent presidential powers. Others warned that the United States may have set a dangerous precedent both domestically and internationally. (The Guardian)

Republicans were divided. A faction of GOP senators applauded what they saw as decisive action against Venezuela’s corrupt government and drug networks, arguing it served U.S. interests in security and regional stability. Others—most notably Sen. Rand Paul—broke with the White House stance and called the operation a war that required congressional debate, stressing that once the military commits forces in such a manner, it’s Congress’s constitutional job to authorize or restrict further action. (Fox News)

The White House and administration officials aggressively defended their position. They framed the raid as a necessary and lawful enforcement measure against international crime, not a declaration of war or occupation. President Trump claimed the United States would “run” Venezuela in the interim, overseeing the transition to a “safe and proper” government—a statement that fueled further controversy about U.S. intentions and the legal footing of the operation. U.S. officials also seized Venezuela-linked oil tankers in international waters, a move that underscored broader economic and strategic interests at play. (CBS News)

International reaction was immediate and sharply critical. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres expressed deep concern about regional stability and the legality of the U.S. action under international law, warning that the precedent could undermine sovereign norms. Countries including Russia, China, and Cuba condemned the strike as an illegal act of aggression, while some Latin American nations called for Maduro’s release and restoration of Venezuela’s political process. (Reuters)

Back in Washington, the constitutional storm centered on Congress’s authority under Article I of the Constitution to declare war and oversee the use of U.S. forces. Tim Kaine, a Democratic senator, became a prominent voice in the pushback, sponsoring a War Powers Resolution that would prohibit any further military actions against Venezuela without explicit congressional authorization. Joining him was Rand Paul, making the effort bipartisan, though Republicans still held a narrow Senate majority. (Close Up Foundation)

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