Muzzling Victory: US Senate Advances Venezuela War Powers Resolution to Curb Trump

The mission was a success, but the leash is tightening. Just days after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a high-stakes raid, the legislative branch is making its move. On January 8, 2026, the US Senate advanced a resolution that would bar President Donald Trump from further military action against Venezuela without congressional authorization.

US Senate Venezuela War Powers Resolution: A Bipartisan Check

The procedural measure passed with a 52 to 47 vote, according to Reuters. While the vote largely followed party lines, a handful of Republicans crossed the aisle to join every Democrat in favor of moving the resolution forward. It's a significant shift in the 100-member chamber, which had blocked similar attempts twice last year.

The resolution comes as the administration's military pressure on Venezuela reaches a fever pitch. Since September, US forces have engaged in attacks on boats in the southern Caribbean. The recent capture of Nicolas Maduro in Caracas was the climax of this campaign, but it's also sparked fears of an unchecked executive branch leading the nation into a wider conflict.

The Path to Legislative Constraint