House Republicans narrowly defeat Venezuela war powers resolution to check President Trump’s military actions - WASHINGTON — The House rejected a Democratic-backed resolution Thursday that would have prevented President Donald Trump from sending U.S. military forces to Venezuela after a tied vote on the legislation fell just short of the majority needed for passage.
The House rejected a Democratic-backed resolution that would have barred President Trump from sending U.S. troops to Venezuela after a 215-215 tie, with Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt returning to cast the decisive vote.
Overview
The House voted 215-215, defeating a Democratic resolution to force President Trump to seek congressional approval before sending troops to Venezuela.
Republican leaders kept the vote open over 20 minutes while Rep. Wesley Hunt rushed back from campaigning to cast the decisive vote against the measure.
All Democrats supported the resolution; two Republicans, Reps. Don Bacon and Thomas Massie, joined them in favor.
Democrats argued the vote was needed after a surprise U.S. raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, while the administration says no troops are currently in Venezuela.
Senate action mirrored the close House vote; Vice President JD Vance broke a tied Senate vote last week, and Democrats are probing who benefits from Venezuela oil licenses.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as a congressional rebuke of Trump's foreign interventions, using evaluative language ("aggressions," "raid") and structuring the piece to foreground Democratic concerns and GOP fissures. Editorial choices emphasize procedural controversy and potential donor ties to Venezuelan oil, while direct quotes (Mast, Meeks, Bacon) remain source content.
Sources (11)
FAQ
The House rejected the Democratic-backed resolution in a 215-215 tie, with Republican Rep. Wesley Hunt casting the decisive vote against it after the vote was held open for over 20 minutes.
Democrats sought to require congressional approval for U.S. military actions in Venezuela following a U.S. raid that captured Nicolás Maduro, arguing it was necessary to check Trump's authority.[1]
Republican Reps. Don Bacon and Thomas Massie joined all Democrats in supporting the resolution.
The Senate saw a tied vote last week, broken by Vice President JD Vance to defeat the measure, after some Republicans initially supported it but flipped following White House assurances.
The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from Venezuela unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific statutory authorization.
History
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