Senate readies vote on Venezuela war powers as Trump pressures GOP defectors

Senate Republicans are under pressure from President Donald Trump to reject a war powers resolution concerning Venezuela. The resolution, aimed at limiting the president's military actions, advanced last week with the support of five GOP senators and all Democrats. Trump has publicly criticized the Republican defectors, calling them "stone cold losers" and "disasters." This vote is seen as a test of GOP loyalty and a gauge of the Senate's willingness to grant Trump leeway in using military force abroad. While the resolution is unlikely to become law, it holds political significance. Senator Josh Hawley, who initially supported advancing the resolution, is reconsidering his position after speaking with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reportedly assured him that ground troops would not be deployed and constitutional requirements would be followed. Senator Tim Kaine, a proponent of war powers resolutions, believes senators want to fulfill their role as checks on presidential power. The Trump administration has cited various legal rationales for its actions against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, including invoking wartime powers under the global war on terror and designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations. The administration also claimed Maduro's capture was a law enforcement operation for extradition. Senators reviewed the administration's legal opinion in a classified briefing, which Senator Rand Paul criticized for its secrecy. Lawmakers are concerned about Trump's broader foreign policy statements, including his intentions for Venezuela and Greenland. Republican leaders are seeking to de-escalate the conflict with Trump, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune questioning the resolution's priority due to the absence of troops in Venezuela.