Operation Absolute Resolve was an unmitigated operational success, as the U.S. succeeded in removing the former illegitimate president (dictator) Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela and spiriting him off to New York City to face American justice. No U.S. lives were lost, the precision campaign was virtually flawless, and the man the administration has termed a drug lord and criminal has been effectively removed from the field of play.
But some lawmakers, mostly on the Democratic side, were triggered by President Trump’s use of military power without their authorization, and they took action Thursday morning. The surprise, to some at least, is that five Republicans joined with them to advance a resolution in the Senate by a vote of 52-47 that would limit future U.S. military force against the South American nation without Congressional approval.
BREAKING: The Senate advances a war powers resolution that would limit President Trump's ability to strike Venezuela. pic.twitter.com/kLOvg9TiK5
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 8, 2026
Although it has cleared the committee for now, there is still more work to be done before it becomes law:
The full measure is expected to pass next week, which would require 51 votes in the Senate. The measure, though, will still need to withstand a full amendment process and support for the final resolution is not guaranteed.
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Although the usual GOP suspects voted for it — Sens. Rand Paul (KY), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Susan Collins (ME) — some observers were surprised that they were joined by Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana.
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham was angered by the vote, as Fox News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram noted:
Graham on GOPers who voted to rebuke Trump on war powers: I respect their decision. They're dead wrong. There'll be plenty of people here to make sure this doesn't happen. They're gonna own screwing up the best chance we've ever had to liberate the people of Venezuela and make…
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) January 8, 2026
They're gonna own screwing up the best chance we've ever had to liberate the people of Venezuela and make our country safer from drug poisoning
The Trump administration has vociferously argued that they don’t need Congress’ approval to conduct targeted strikes against our enemies and only need to get authorization for a full-blown war declaration.
The resolution was sponsored by former Hillary Clinton running mate Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), and cosponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) — and Rand Paul.
Sen. John Barasso (R-WY) thought it was an exercise in political theater and futility, saying in a statement Wednesday before the vote:
"It would weaken the President’s legitimate, constitutional authority. This body, the United States Senate, is being asked whether the President of the United States has the authority to arrest indicted criminals. Of course he does. Democrats want to weaken the President’s ability to enforce the law. That is the wrong message to send to hardened drug traffickers and to dictators," Barrasso added.
President Trump weighed in just minutes ago, and he is furious at the five senators. Don't vote for them again, he exhorted:
Whoa. Trump goes nuclear on the five Republicans who backed the Venezuela war powers resolution, saying they “should never be elected to office again.”
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) January 8, 2026
He names them: Collins, Murkowski, Paul, Hawley, Young pic.twitter.com/YvCKdhNzWx
Trump:
Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again. This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief. In any event, and despite their “stupidity,” the War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me. Nevertheless, a more important Senate Vote will be taking place next week on this very subject.
This fight is likely to escalate even more as the measure moves forward. Buckle your seatbelts.
Editor's Note: Thanks to President Trump and War Secretary Pete Hegseth's leadership, the warrior ethos is coming back to America's military.
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