A congressional effort to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Venezuela failed on Thursday, as a War Powers Resolution was defeated in the House of Representatives by a vote of 215-215. This marks the latest setback for lawmakers seeking to restrain the president’s foreign policy decisions.
Congressional Divide on Venezuela
House lawmakers voted on House Concurrent Resolution 68 (H.Con.Res.68), introduced by Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.), which would have required the removal of U.S. armed forces from Venezuela unless a declaration of war or specific authorization for military force was enacted. The resolution ultimately failed to pass due to the tie vote.
The outcome highlights a stark partisan divide, with every Democrat in the House and two Republicans – Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky – voting in favor of the measure. Every other Republican lawmaker opposed the resolution, while Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) did not cast a vote.
War Powers Resolution and Recent Actions
The failure in the House follows a similar outcome last week in the Senate, where Vice President JD Vance cast the tie-breaking vote to defeat a comparable resolution introduced by Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Unlike the Senate, a tie vote in the House prevents the legislation from moving forward.
This vote comes after the U.S. military conducted bombing raids and an invasion of Venezuela this month, resulting in the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, based on allegations of “narco-terrorism” and drug trafficking. Additionally, President Trump has imposed an oil blockade on Venezuela, seizing seven tankers, and initiated bombing campaigns against boats suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean since September.
Calls for Congressional Oversight
Following the vote, Rep. McGovern stated, “If the president is contemplating further military action, then he has a moral and constitutional obligation to come here and get our approval.” House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) expressed concern that prioritizing foreign military interventions detracts from domestic needs, stating, “The American people want us to lower their cost of living, not enable war.”
Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) emphasized Congress’s constitutional role, stating, “Only Congress has the authority to declare war. Today, I voted for a war powers resolution to ensure Trump cannot send OUR armed forces to Venezuela without explicit authorization from Congress.” Cavan Kharrazian, senior policy adviser at Demand Progress, expressed disappointment with the outcome but noted the administration’s efforts to pressure Republicans to block the resolution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a War Powers Resolution?
The War Powers Resolution of 1973, also known as the War Powers Act, requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing U.S. armed forces to military action. It also limits the duration of such deployments without congressional authorization to 60 days.
What happened with the vote on H.Con.Res.68?
The House of Representatives voted 215-215 on H.Con.Res.68, failing to pass the resolution that would have directed the removal of U.S. armed forces from Venezuela without a declaration of war or specific authorization.
Which lawmakers voted in favor of the resolution?
Every House Democrat and two Republicans – Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky – voted in favor of H.Con.Res.68.
Given the recent military actions and the ongoing political tensions, what further steps might Congress take to reassert its authority over military interventions?
