TRUMP DEFIED: Congress REJECTS War Power Grab!

A tense standoff played out on the House floor this week, culminating in a dramatic tie vote that effectively allows the President to continue potential military actions concerning Venezuela. The resolution, intended to limit executive power and demand Congressional authorization for further involvement, failed by a razor-thin margin of 215-215.

The outcome hinged on a last-minute arrival. As the vote was being held open, Representative Wesley Hunt rushed to the Capitol from Texas, his single vote ultimately unable to sway the result. However, the division within the Republican party was starkly revealed, with two members crossing party lines to vote with Democrats.

Representatives Don Bacon and Thomas Massie defied their party’s leadership, joining the opposition in a move that underscored deep disagreements over the President’s foreign policy. This followed a similar battle in the Senate just days prior, where a war powers resolution met a similar fate.

The Senate had initially signaled a willingness to restrain the President, advancing a resolution 52-47 to limit military actions in Venezuela. Five Republican senators – Young, Murkowski, Collins, Paul, and Hawley – initially supported the effort, creating a bipartisan coalition.

But the political landscape shifted rapidly. In a stunning reversal, Senators Hawley and Young switched their votes, effectively killing the resolution. The deciding factor ultimately came down to the Vice President, who cast the tie-breaking vote to uphold the President’s authority.

These votes followed a decisive escalation of U.S. involvement in Venezuela. The President authorized military strikes, leading to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the nation’s leader. Maduro now faces indictment on four federal charges in New York.

The President has publicly stated that Venezuela will provide the United States with a substantial oil supply – between 30 and 50 million barrels – to be sold at current market prices. This potential economic benefit appears to be a key factor driving the administration’s actions and influencing the debate on Capitol Hill.