The Senate voted 52-47 on Thursday to advance a war powers resolution aimed at blocking the Trump administration from taking further military action in Venezuela without explicit congressional approval.
Five Republican senators joined all Democrats on the procedural vote: Sens. Susan Collins (ME), Josh Hawley (MO), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rand Paul (KY) and Todd Young (IN).
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the resolution in December following reports of a U.S. “double tap” strike on a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean, and the vote came days after the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
The measure would require “the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.”
The test vote indicates there is sufficient support in the Senate to ultimately pass the resolution, a step expected to occur next week.
The measure would still need approval from the House and the signature of President Trump, who has threatened to veto it.
