House Republicans voted down two Democratic-backed war-powers resolutions on Wednesday, a move that keeps President Donald Trump’s campaign against drug cartels and Venezuela in the open.
Resolutions and the War-Powers Act
The resolutions, brought under the War Powers Act of 1973, would have required the Trump administration to obtain congressional authorization before continuing attacks on drug-carrying vessels or launching a strike against Venezuela. They were part of a broader effort by Democrats to constrain the president’s expanding military actions in Central and South America.
The House votes were the first in the chamber on the campaign. In the Senate, most Republicans had already rejected similar measures, and Trump would almost certainly veto any passage. By forcing the vote, Democrats aimed to force Republicans to record their support and to spark a debate about the legality and scope of the campaign.
Trump’s Military Campaign
The administration has claimed that it can destroy drug-carrying boats just as it would handle terrorist threats against the United States. Critics point to the destruction of 26 vessels allegedly carrying drugs and the killing of at least 99 people, including a Wednesday attack that killed two survivors of an earlier strike.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other national-security officials briefed members of Congress on Tuesday, defending the campaign as a successful counter-narcotic effort that has cut into the drug supply entering the U.S. However, they did not disclose the administration’s ultimate goals regarding Venezuela.
Congressional Reactions
After viewing a video of the September 2 strike, lawmakers expressed divergent views. Republicans largely backed the decision, citing precise intelligence and careful decision-making. Democrats, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal, called the sight of a missile strike on two people clinging to the wreckage shocking and demanding a public release of the footage.
Senator Blumenthal said, “I think there are serious questions about criminal culpability here, and there is certainly a need for more intensive federal investigation.”
Rep. Seth Moulton, a former Marine who served in Iraq, said the briefing confirmed his concerns. He concluded that the two survivors were “helpless” and that there was “significant evidence that they were not continuing their mission.”
GOP lawmakers appeared ready to close investigations opened under Republican-controlled committees. Rep. Mike Rogers, chair of the House Armed Services Committee, declared the panel’s investigation into the September 2 boat strike finished. He added that the video of the follow-up strike should not be released unless it is “declassified to the level that we don’t compromise tactics, techniques and procedures.”
Senator Roger Wicker told reporters, “I think we know all we’re going to know as a matter of oversight.”
Debate Over War Powers
Rep. Don Bacon, a retired Air Force brigadier general, said the boat strike was lawful but urged the administration to seek congressional approval for continued hostility. “I think the mission was right,” he said after the briefing with Bradley. “But continued hostility does require congressional approval.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said earlier Wednesday he did not know whether the Trump administration had publicly stated a desire for regime change in Venezuela. He added, “Maduro is a cancer on that continent,” and said he would not have a problem if that was the administration’s position.
Republican Support and Concerns
Republican leaders have increasingly expressed support for Trump’s campaign, even as it risks a direct confrontation with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. A few GOP lawmakers joined Democrats in questioning the administration’s motives. They noted that the escalation of hostilities against Venezuela has failed to keep Trump’s campaign promises to disengage from overseas military commitments.
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, said, “If it were about drugs, we’d bomb Mexico or China or Colombia.”
He added, “This is about oil and regime change.”
Democratic Criticism
Democrats repeatedly challenged whether Trump’s objectives truly focus on halting drug trafficking and preventing overdose deaths. They sharply criticized the president for pardoning former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández after he was sentenced last year to 45 years in prison for his role in a drug-trafficking operation that moved hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States.
Key Takeaways
- House Republicans rejected war-powers resolutions that would have required congressional authorization for attacks on drug cartels and Venezuela.
- The Trump administration has destroyed 26 drug-carrying vessels and killed at least 99 people, including a Wednesday strike that killed two survivors of an earlier attack.
- GOP and Democratic lawmakers remain divided over the legality and motives of the campaign, with Republicans citing intelligence and Democrats demanding more oversight and investigation.
The outcome of the House vote keeps the administration’s military campaign in the spotlight, as Congress debates the balance between national security and congressional authority.
Closing
The House vote marks a rare moment of congressional scrutiny over President Trump’s foreign-policy actions. While the resolutions failed, the debate has highlighted deep divisions over how the United States should confront drug trafficking and regional instability. The campaign’s future will likely depend on continued congressional oversight and the administration’s willingness to address the concerns raised by both sides.
