Washington, 15 January (H.S.): U.S. Senate Republicans thwarted a Democratic-led war powers resolution on Wednesday through a razor-thin 51-50 vote, effectively blocking congressional oversight of President Donald Trump's military engagements in Venezuela following intense White House lobbying.

Vice President JD Vance delivered the decisive tie-breaking vote after arriving at the Capitol, with only three GOP senators aligning with all Democrats to advance the measure, which sought to prohibit further U.S. armed actions absent explicit legislative approval post the January 3 capture of Nicolas Maduro.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) dismissed the effort as Democratic anti-Trump hysteria, asserting no ongoing ground operations exist after U.S. forces executed what the administration terms a judicial extradition for drug charges rather than regime change.

Partisan Flip After Trump's Fury

The resolution had progressed January 8 with five Republicans—Rand Paul (KY), Susan Collins (ME), Josh Hawley (MO), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Todd Young (IN)—joining Democrats, prompting Trump's vehement threat that they should never be elected again, spurring a furious campaign by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and allies.

Hawley and Young reversed course Wednesday, the latter citing national security officials' assurances of no troops on Venezuelan soil and a pledge for congressional authorization prior to major operations, despite a U.S. flotilla's protracted blockade and skirmishes in the southern Caribbean and Pacific.

Democratic sponsor Tim Kaine (VA) lambasted characterizations denying imminent hostilities, underscoring constitutional prerogatives for war declarations amid Trump's declarations of long-term Venezuelan stewardship, Iranian protest endorsements, and Greenland threats.

Broader Congressional Wariness

Even absent Senate passage, House approval and veto-proof supermajorities loomed insurmountable in the GOP-led chamber, mirroring two prior 2025 rebuffs, though Maduro's apprehension fueled bipartisan accusations of administration duplicity after disavowals of forcible government alteration.

Trump's recent meme portraying himself as Acting President of Venezuela and New York Times avowals of enduring involvement crystallized apprehensions over unilateral executive impulses, as interim leader Delcy Rodriguez pledges prisoner releases—including activist Roland Carreno and journalists—while X access resumes post-Maduro.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar