A group of senators will force a vote on Thursday on a War Powers Resolution led by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), seeking to block President Trump from conducting military strikes against alleged drug smugglers in the waters off South America and within Venezuela without explicit congressional authorization.
The resolution, co-sponsored by 15 senators including Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), would direct the President to “terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities within or against Venezuela,” unless Congress declares war or passes a specific Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF).
Escalation Concern: Sponsors warn that the ongoing campaign, which has seen 16 strikes and killed at least 67 people since September 2nd, risks escalation and oversteps Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war. RELATED: Trump Authorizes Secret CIA Operations In Venezuela, Including Possible Anti-Cartel Strikes
Legal Rationale Questioned: Lawmakers in both parties are demanding more details on the legal basis for the strikes. Democrats, including Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), expressed confidence in the intelligence community but called the administration’s legal justification, provided in an Office of Legal Counsel opinion, “insufficient,” with Warner noting the opinion “even mentions Venezuela.”
Administration’s View: A senior administration official indicated the administration does not view the drone strikes against alleged drug traffickers as “hostilities” under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, arguing the resolution applies to placing U.S. servicemembers “in harm’s way.” The administration’s 60-day reporting deadline under the 1973 resolution expired Monday.
Vote Scheduled: The Senate vote is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday. A similar effort was blocked by Republicans in October.
READ: Florida House Panel Backs Hike In Government Negligence Payout Caps
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