Following the US military's capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the Senate on January 8 voted 52-47 to advance a bipartisan resolution requiring congressional approval for any future hostilities in Venezuela, signaling pushback against President Trump's unilateral actions.
The resolution, S.J. Res. 98 sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), directs the removal of US forces from unauthorized operations in Venezuela and invokes Congress's constitutional war powers. It passed with all Democrats plus Republicans Sens. Rand Paul, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called it a stand against 'endless wars,' while critics like Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) defended the capture—detailed in prior coverage—as within Trump's Article II authority.
The vote follows closed-door briefings on the administration's three-pronged stabilization plan for Venezuela, including US control of oil sales (30-50 million barrels) to fund recovery via American products, as outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. President Trump, who hailed the January 3 special forces raid as a historic success, plans to veto the measure if it passes the House, with override unlikely.
Democrats like Rep. Seth Moulton criticized the operation's planning, demanding public hearings, amid partisan divides. A similar 2025 Iran resolution failed in the Senate.
