Washington — House Democrats plan to force votes Wednesday on two war powers resolutions amid escalating tensions with Venezuela as President Trump warned that ground strikes against the country could begin “soon.”
Mr. Trump’s threats come amid a months-long military campaign against suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean that have killed at least 95 people.
The first measure, introduced by Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, would withdraw U.S. armed forces “from hostilities with any terrorist organization designated by the President in the Western Hemisphere” unless Congress has declared war or authorized the use of military force for such purposes.
A second measure from Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts would withdraw the armed forces “from hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.”
McGovern’s resolution may have the best chance of passing because it has three GOP co-sponsors: Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Don Bacon of Nebraska. Bacon said he would also vote in favor of Meeks’ measure.
Under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the president is required to consult Congress “in every possible case” before introducing armed forces into hostilities, unless there has been a declaration of war or other congressional authorization. But the White House has suggested that the decades-old law does not apply to boat strikes because it does not consider the attacks to endanger service members.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held two separate classified briefings for all senators and House members on Tuesday. The House and Senate Armed Services Committee received a more detailed briefing Wednesday with Navy Adm. Frank Bradley, who ordered a second strike killing survivors of the initial September 2 strike.
Meeks left Tuesday’s briefing saying members had not received an adequate explanation as to why the Trump administration did not consult with Congress before the strikes. He also questioned the president’s motivations.
“It doesn’t appear to be just drug trafficking,” Meeks told reporters Tuesday. “So if this is regime change, it seems to me that the administration should say that’s what it is and they should go to Congress to ask for this authorization, which has not happened.”
Bacon said after Wednesday’s press briefing that he would vote to authorize military action against Venezuela, but he still believes Mr. Trump must get approval from Congress.
“I think there is enough support in Congress to pass an authorization,” Bacon added. “The mission is right, but continued hostilities require Congressional approval.”
A day before the vote, Vanity Fair published an article based on nearly a dozen interviews with Mr. Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles, in which she said the president “wants to keep rocking boats until the vote is over.” [Venezuelan President Nicolás] Maduro cries uncle. And people much smarter than me say he will. »
This statement appears to be at odds with the administration’s position that it is carrying out strikes to stop the flow of drugs into the United States, not to oust Maduro.
Wiles admitted that ground strikes would require congressional approval.
“If he allows activity on land, then it’s war, so [we’d need] Congress,” she told Vanity Fair.
In a further escalation of Mr. Trump’s pressure campaign against Maduro, the president said Tuesday that he was declaring the Venezuelan government a “foreign terrorist organization” and called for a “foreign terrorist organization.”total and complete blockade” on all sanctioned tankers entering or leaving Venezuela.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said Tuesday that the president has the authority to order boat strikes under his constitutional authority.
“It’s certainly appropriate,” the Louisiana Republican told reporters. “This is necessary to protect the United States and our interests.”
The House votes follow two failed attempts by the Senate to bar Mr. Trump from pursuing military action against drug cartels without congressional approval. A third vote in the Senate could take place as early as this week.
