Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer declared on Sunday that he intends to invoke the War Powers Act to block further U.S. military involvement in Venezuela, setting the stage for a major legislative confrontation following the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Schumer told host George Stephanopoulos that the operation, which President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, was an act of “lawlessness” conducted without the necessary congressional authorization.
“The American people this morning, George, are scratching their heads in wonderment and in fear of what the president’s proposed,” Schumer said. He warned against the implications of long-term involvement, referencing Trump’s statement that the United States would effectively be “running” Venezuela during the transition.
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“We have learned through the years, when America tries to regime change and nation-building in this way, the American people pay the price, in both blood and in dollars,” Schumer added.
The controversy follows a high-stakes operation in Caracas that resulted in the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. While the Trump administration described the mission as a law enforcement operation protected by the military, Schumer argued the administration had significantly overstepped. He alleged that U.S. forces went beyond offshore support, entering Venezuela and bombing “civilian as well as military places” in violation of the law.
During a press conference regarding the capture, President Trump indicated that senior officials—including Senator Marco Rubio, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine—would oversee the situation on the ground.
In response, Schumer plans to bring a War Powers resolution to the floor this week. He emphasized to Stephanopoulos that the resolution is “privileged,” a procedural designation that prevents Republicans from blocking its introduction. The measure is reportedly co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine and Republican Senator Rand Paul.
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“If it is voted for positively in both houses, then the President can’t do another thing in Venezuela without the okay of the Congress,” Schumer explained.
The operation has triggered intense debate in Washington. While some critics on social media have called for impeachment proceedings, Congressional Democrats have focused on the legality of the engagement, accusing the administration of misleading both the public and the legislature.
The move marks a shift in tone for the New York Senator regarding Venezuela policy. In 2020, following Maduro’s initial indictment on drug trafficking charges, Schumer criticized the Trump administration for not being aggressive enough in removing the dictator.
“The President brags about his Venezuela policy? Give us a break. He hasn’t brought an end to the Maduro regime,” Schumer said at the time.
With the resolution set for introduction this week, Congress is bracing for a vote that could redefine the boundaries of presidential authority in foreign conflicts.
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