Washington, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday voted against a Democratic-led resolution that would have instructed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. military forces from Venezuela, underscoring deep divisions in Congress over executive war powers and American involvement in the Western Hemisphere.
In a rare tie vote — 215-215 — Republican lawmakers ultimately blocked the measure after holding the roll call open to allow Texas Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt to return to the Capitol and cast the decisive ballot against the resolution. The result marked a stinging defeat for Democrats, who had sought to use the procedural tool to curb the president’s expanding use of military force overseas.
Debate Over Military Authority and U.S. Role Abroad
The resolution, spearheaded by House Democrats, was framed as a defense of constitutional authority — asserting that only Congress can authorize significant military operations or the deployment of U.S. armed forces abroad. Supporters argued that after recent U.S. military actions in Venezuela, congressional oversight was overdue.
“Congress must assert its constitutional role in declaring war and restraining military overreach,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, during floor debate. “Unchecked executive aggression weakens America’s standing and isolates us from allies.”
Republicans, by contrast, contended that the resolution was unnecessary because, according to administration officials, there are no U.S. troops currently stationed in Venezuela, and any major operations would require future congressional approval. Some GOP lawmakers also accused Democrats of exploiting the issue for political reasons.
Background: U.S. Military Action in Venezuela
The vote comes in the wake of dramatic U.S. military actions earlier this month when U.S. forces launched an operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Maduro was transported to the United States to face federal charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism, according to U.S. officials.
The operation, labeled by the Pentagon as a focused “judicial extraction mission,” involved elite U.S. special operations units and led to significant casualties among Venezuelan and allied military personnel, according to Venezuelan defense authorities.
In public remarks following the raid, President Trump said U.S. forces were “in charge” of Venezuelan affairs and suggested long-term intentions to influence the country’s oil industry — remarks that have drawn sharp criticism from opponents on both sides of the political aisle.
Congressional War Powers at Center Stage
Thursday’s vote revived a longstanding debate over the War Powers Resolution of 1973, designed to check presidential authority by requiring congressional approval for prolonged military engagements. Democrats have repeatedly used war powers resolutions to force votes in both chambers of Congress, although similar efforts in the Senate also failed to pass.
Two House Republicans — Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky — joined all voting Democrats in supporting the resolution, highlighting a rare fracture in GOP unity over foreign policy.
Despite the defeat, Democrats hailed the vote as an opportunity to bring renewed attention to Trump’s foreign policy approach, particularly what they characterize as an increasingly aggressive posture in Latin America. Opponents warned that restricting executive flexibility could tie the hands of commanders in future crises.
Public and International Reactions
The U.S. military operation has reverberated internationally: tens of thousands rallied in Havana, Cuba, to protest the U.S. assault, and allied governments expressed deep concern over the legality and ramifications of the mission.
Meanwhile, legal scholars and international observers have raised questions about the legality under international law of forcing the removal of a sitting head of state without clear U.N. authorization or direct self-defense justification.
Looking Ahead
In the wake of the House vote, congressional leaders on both sides signaled that the debate over war powers is far from over. Democrats have promised continued efforts to assert legislative authority, while Republicans warned that further checks could hamper U.S. strategic flexibility.
With tensions rising and U.S. naval operations and sanctions continuing in Venezuelan waters, lawmakers say the coming weeks may bring additional votes and oversight hearings on the Trump administration’s actions in the region and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy.
