WASHINGTON D.C.: The US Senate on Thursday advanced a measure aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s authority to launch strikes on Venezuela. The Senate agreed to the motion to discharge the War Powers Resolution by a narrow vote of 52-47, marking a significant step in the legislative push to rein in executive military powers.

Five Republican senators – Josh Hawley, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Rand Paul, and Todd Young – broke party lines to support the bill introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine. This bipartisan move comes in response to an escalating military confrontation in Venezuela, which recently intensified with the operation leading to the capture of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump suggested that his administration would "run" the country and its oil assets, fueling concerns about unchecked military engagement.

In his remarks preceding the vote, Kaine asserted the importance of congressional oversight in military matters. "US troops should not be used in hostilities in Venezuela without a vote of Congress," he stressed, invoking the Constitution’s requirement for legislative approval before committing forces to combat. He clarified that the resolution does not impact the recent arrest warrant issued for Maduro, emphasizing its necessity for US justice.

Following the vote, Trump took to social media to lambaste the Republican senators who sided with Democrats, declaring the measure "unconstitutional." He argued that it undermines US national security and hampers the president's constitutional authority as commander-in-chief. "Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats," he proclaimed, calling for more robust national defense measures.

Vice President JD Vance echoed Trump’s sentiments, suggesting that the decision was rooted in legal technicalities rather than substantive policy disagreement. He insisted that the War Powers Act has historically been viewed by many lawmakers as an unconstitutional restriction on presidential authority. The debate surrounding this resolution underscores a vital discussion about the balance of power between Congress and the presidency, particularly in matters of military engagement.