House Defeats 2 Bids to Rein In Trump Venezuela Campaign
Efforts by Democrats in the House of Representatives to force President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval for military actions tied to Venezuela failed Wednesday, with two closely contested resolutions falling short after near party-line votes.
Lawmakers have repeatedly argued that the Constitution reserves the power to authorize anything beyond short-term military action to Congress, not the president. Those concerns intensified after the administration began a military campaign earlier this fall targeting what it describes as drug trafficking linked to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government.
Since early September, U.S. forces have conducted more than 20 strikes on suspected drug-running vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, operations that have resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people. The administration says the actions are aimed at countering the flow of illegal narcotics that have taken American lives, an accusation Maduro has firmly denied.
One of the defeated measures, sponsored by Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sought to require the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities involving “any presidentially designated terrorist organization in the Western Hemisphere” unless Congress explicitly authorized the deployment. That resolution failed by a vote of 216 to 210.
A second proposal, introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, the top Democrat on the House Rules Committee, would have directed the president to withdraw U.S. forces from any military engagement with or against Venezuela that lacked congressional approval. That measure was rejected 213 to 211.
The votes split largely along partisan lines. Two Republicans joined Democrats in supporting the first resolution, while three crossed party lines on the second. Meanwhile, two Democrats opposed the first measure and one voted against the second.
Republican leaders defended the administration’s approach. Speaking against the resolutions, Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, argued that the measures were designed “to block President Trump from defending the U.S. from designated cartel terrorists.”
Still, some Republicans broke ranks. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a frequent critic of Trump, supported both measures, arguing that the authority to wage war should not rest with a single individual. “If the president believes military action against Venezuela is justified and needed, he should make the case and Congress should vote,” Massie said in a House speech.
The votes came just hours before Trump was scheduled to deliver an unusual evening address from the White House. While the speech was expected to highlight what he views as major accomplishments, it also followed his recent order imposing a “blockade” on sanctioned oil tankers entering and leaving Venezuela, fueling speculation about possible further military escalation.
Democratic critics also contend that the administration’s goals extend beyond counternarcotics operations, suggesting that Trump ultimately seeks to force regime change in Caracas. Despite repeated attempts since September to require explicit congressional authorization for the campaign, Democrats have been unable to overcome opposition from Republicans, who hold narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.
{Matzav.com}
