Senate Sets War Powers Vote on Ending Venezuela Intervention

The US Senate is scheduled to hold a key procedural vote Thursday on a resolution blocking further military action against Venezuela, setting up the first test of congressional backing for President Donald Trump’s intervention in the South American nation.

The resolution, invoking congressional authority under the 1973 War Powers Act, would require a majority vote to pass the Republican-controlled Senate. Even if it does, it is unlikely to pass the House or otherwise bind the president.

Senators Tim Kaine and Rand Paul at the US Capitol in Washington on Jan. 7.

Photographer: Al Drago/Bloomberg

Republican Senators Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska crossed party lines in November to back an earlier effort to halt military strikes against suspected drug traffickers tied to Venezuela.

Virginia Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, a backer of the resolution, has told reporters he is hopeful more Republicans would back the new resolution. It would take four Republican defections to pass the Senate if every senator voted and if all Democrats voted to block military action.

Kaine also is seeking a vote on block funding for further military action against Venezuela by adding the restriction to an upcoming federal spending package.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Steven T. Dennis in Washington at sdennis17@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story:
Megan Scully at mscully32@bloomberg.net

Mike Dorning

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