The Republican-controlled U.S. House narrowly rejected two Democratic resolutions that would have required congressional authorization for U.S. military actions related to Venezuela. Votes of 216-210 and 213-211 were largely along party lines, with a handful of defections. The decisions came shortly before President Trump's rare White House address and follow more than 20 U.S. strikes on suspected drug-smuggling vessels since early September. Lawmakers debated whether the administration has overstepped constitutional war powers by acting without explicit congressional approval.
U.S. House Rejects Measures To Force Congressional Approval Of Trump’s Venezuela Campaign
People walk along the National Mall, in view of the U.S. Capitol building, in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 2, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura
WASHINGTON, Dec 17 — The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives narrowly rejected two Democratic-led resolutions on Wednesday that would have forced President Donald Trump to obtain congressional authorization for military actions related to Venezuela.
The votes came hours before a rare evening White House address by Mr. Trump, and followed his order to impose what the administration described as a "blockade" on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. The debate highlighted growing concerns in Congress about the executive branch's use of military power without explicit congressional approval.
In the first vote, the House defeated a resolution sponsored by Representative Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) by 216 to 210. Meeks' measure would have required the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities with "any presidentially designated terrorist organization in the Western Hemisphere" unless Congress authorized continued action.
The chamber also voted 213 to 211 to reject a separate resolution from Representative Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) that would have directed the president to withdraw U.S. forces from hostilities with or against Venezuela without congressional authorization.
Votes Mostly Along Party Lines
Both measures were decided almost entirely along party lines. Two Republicans joined Democrats to support Meeks' resolution and three Republicans backed McGovern's measure. Conversely, two Democrats opposed Meeks' resolution and one Democrat voted against McGovern's.
Supporters of the resolutions argued that sustained military actions require congressional approval under the Constitution. Opponents, including Representative Brian Mast (R-Fla.), framed the proposals as efforts to prevent the president from defending the United States against cartel-linked threats.
"These resolutions are a Democratic ploy to block President Trump from defending the U.S. from designated cartel terrorists," Representative Brian Mast said in opposition.
"If the president believes military action against Venezuela is justified and needed, he should make the case and Congress should vote," said Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), one of the few Republicans to support the measures.
Context: Strikes And Tensions
U.S. forces have carried out more than 20 strikes on suspected drug-running vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific since early September, operations U.S. officials say have killed more than 80 people. The administration says it is weighing a range of options to counter what it alleges is Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's role in the flow of illegal drugs; Maduro denies involvement in drug trafficking.
Lawmakers from both parties have long expressed unease about presidents conducting prolonged military operations without formal congressional authorization. Since the campaign began in early September, members of Congress have repeatedly attempted to force the administration to seek such authorization, but those efforts were defeated by Republican lawmakers holding narrow majorities.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Stephen Coates)
