US House Clears the Way for Trump to Attack Venezuela
Congress rejects measures that would have required prior approval for any US attack on Venezuelan territory
United States, PUREWILAYAH.COM — The United States House of Representatives has rejected two legislative resolutions that would have required President Donald Trump to obtain congressional approval before launching any military action against Venezuela, effectively leaving his hands free for potential armed escalation.
The votes took place early Thursday, when the House dismissed two Democratic-backed resolutions drafted under the War Powers Act.
Resolutions Aimed at Preventing Unilateral Military Action
According to Reuters, the resolutions sought to compel Trump to secure explicit authorization from Congress prior to any military operation on Venezuelan soil or the expansion of air and naval attacks against vessels suspected of drug trafficking.
The primary resolution, introduced by Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, would have prohibited any “military hostilities inside or against Venezuela” without clear congressional consent.
That measure was narrowly defeated by a vote of 213 to 211. Only three Republican lawmakers joined most Democrats in supporting the resolution.
Second Resolution Also Rejected Along Party Lines
A second resolution, aimed at restricting the continuation of US air and naval strikes against vessels suspected of drug trafficking in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, was also voted down by a Republican majority.
Reuters reported that the voting largely followed strict party lines, underscoring firm Republican backing for Trump’s expansive war powers.
Republicans Defend, Democrats Warn Against Unchecked War Decisions
Republican lawmakers described the resolutions as a “dangerous limitation” on the president’s legal authority to defend the United States.
Representative Keith Self stated that “the world is changing rapidly,” arguing that the president must retain the flexibility necessary to respond to emerging threats.
Democratic lawmakers, however, described Trump’s actions as unlawful and undertaken without proper consultation with Congress.
Gregory Meeks emphasized that Congress cannot allow a president to unilaterally decide on war, stating that the rejected resolutions were necessary to prevent a broader and more dangerous conflict.
Escalating Tensions Between Washington and Caracas
The vote comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas. Trump has recently ordered a “complete blockade” of oil tankers linked to Venezuela and reinforced US naval forces in the Caribbean region.
Since September, US forces have carried out at least 22 strikes on vessels suspected of trafficking, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people.
The Venezuelan government has condemned these actions as “imperialist aggression” and announced that it will continue its oil exports despite mounting pressure.
Trump, for his part, has warned that broader military options remain on the table, including the possibility of ground operations. (PW)