The US House of Representatives has rejected a resolution that would have prevented President Donald Trump from deploying US military forces to Venezuela, with the vote falling just short of the majority needed for passage. The tied vote highlighted Speaker Mike Johnson's tenuous hold on the majority and growing pushback in the Republican-controlled Congress against the president's aggressive foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere.
To defeat the Democratic-backed resolution, Republican leaders held the vote open for over 20 minutes while Congressman Wesley Hunt, who had been campaigning for a Senate seat in Texas, rushed back to Capitol Hill to cast the decisive vote. Democrats accused Republicans of violating procedural rules, while two Republicans—Don Bacon of Nebraska and Thomas Massie of Kentucky—voted with Democrats in favour of the legislation.
The war powers resolution would have directed Trump to remove US troops from Venezuela. The Trump administration has stated there are no US troops on the ground in Venezuela and committed to seeking congressional approval before major military operations. However, Democrats argued the resolution is necessary after US troops captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a surprise raid earlier this month without notifying Congress.
Thursday's vote was the latest test of how much leeway Republicans will give Trump, who campaigned on avoiding foreign entanglements but has increasingly turned to military options. So far, most Republicans have declined to impose checks on Trump through war powers votes. Representative Brian Mast, Republican chair of the House armed services committee, accused Democrats of acting out of 'spite' for Trump.
Democrats insisted Congress must assert its role in authorising wartime powers. 'Donald Trump is reducing the United States to a regional bully with fewer allies and more enemies,' said Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House foreign affairs committee. The vote reignited debate over the War Powers Act, as Trump's military actions and threats—including insistence on acquiring Greenland—have alarmed some Republicans.
