The US Senate on Thursday moved to curtail the White House’s military options in South America, advancing a bipartisan bill aimed at blocking further unilateral armed intervention in Venezuela.
The legislative push comes amid heightened tensions in the region and follows recent executive actions that critics fear could lead to a protracted conflict. The bill, which cleared a key procedural hurdle with a 54-46 vote, seeks to mandate explicit congressional authorization for any continued military operations on Venezuelan soil.
‘Constitutional Authority’
Supporters of the measure argue that the administration has overstepped its bounds by deploying assets without a formal declaration or consultation with lawmakers.
”The power to declare war rests with Congress, not the executive branch,” said Senator Chris Murphy, a leading proponent of the bill. “We cannot allow the United States to sleepwalk into another open-ended conflict in South America without a clear strategy or the consent of the American people.”
The legislation would effectively freeze funding for offensive operations while still allowing for the protection of US diplomatic personnel and humanitarian aid deliveries.
Reacting to the vote in a social media post Thursday, Trump attacked the five GOP lawmakers by name, saying they “should never be elected to office again.” The vote, Trump said, “hampers American Self Defense and National Security” by threatening to limit his authority.
‘A Signal of Weakness’
The move has faced stiff opposition from hawks who argue that tying the president’s hands emboldens the government in Caracas. Critics of the bill contend that the threat of military force is the only leverage Washington has left to ensure regional stability.
”This is the wrong message to send at the wrong time,” argued Senator Jim Risch. “By advancing this bill, the Senate is signaling weakness to our adversaries and abandoning those who are fighting for democracy on the ground. We should be increasing pressure, not providing a roadmap for how we will retreat.”
The White House has already signaled that President Trump would likely veto the measure should it reach his desk, calling it an “unconstitutional infringement” on the commander-in-chief’s ability to respond to emerging threats.
Regional Fallout
The legislative battle in Washington is being closely watched across Latin America. Diplomatic sources suggest that several regional allies have expressed private concerns that a sudden US legislative pivot could leave a power vacuum that rivals like Russia or China might exploit.
However, many legal experts in Washington say the bill is a necessary “course correction” after years of expanding executive war powers.
”This isn’t just about Venezuela,” said Sarah Harrison, a former Pentagon lawyer. “It’s about re-establishing the role of the legislature in foreign policy. The Senate is saying that the era of ‘blank check’ military interventions is over.”
The bill is expected to face a final floor vote later this week before moving to the House of Representatives, where its passage remains uncertain amid a deeply divided chamber.
