Posted on 01/08/2026 7:18:44 PM PST by RandFan
Five Senate Republicans joined with Democratic lawmakers in a surprise rebuke of President Donald Trump Thursday, voting to advance legislation that would force the commander in chief to seek Congress’ OK before taking any additional military action in Venezuela.
Trump attacked the lawmakers in a Truth Social post after the procedural vote, saying they “should never be elected to office again” and that the measure they supported “greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security.”
Here’s a closer look at each of the GOP lawmakers and how they explained their votes:
Rand Paul of Kentucky: Paul was a co-sponsor of the war powers measure and has been outspoken in his concern across multiple presidencies that the executive branch has overstepped its authority to use military force without congressional consent.
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska: She sided with similar Democratic-led war powers measures in the past, lamenting that White House officials have not provided enough legal justification for attacks on drug traffickers or for the operation to remove Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
Susan Collins of Maine: Collins said in a statement that voting to limit presidential powers was “necessary” because of Trump’s recent comments about potentially using ground troops and a sustained military engagement in Venezuela.
Josh Hawley of Missouri: Hawley similarly said that Trump’s “boots on the ground” comments illustrated the need to reinforce Congress’ role in approving future military actions. The conservative has been a staunch defender of Trump’s policies in the past.
Todd Young of Indiana: Young expressed support for the operation to capture Maduro but said in a statement that he is concerned about the potential for a long-term military presence in the country: “I — along with what I believe to be the vast majority of Hoosiers am not prepared to commit American troops to that mission.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
The only Republican who can speak fore is Sen. Kennedy, period.
Agreed re: Hawley. He’s been dissenting from Trump re: healthcare subsidies, etc...
Never heard of Todd Young. Interesting.
Impotent virtue signalling. Let me know when their legislation hits Trump’s desk as a bill.
Trump went after College loins hard. This is actually good for her in ME
That’s not happening but it’s symbolic
It really isn’t impotent. Trump is leading by strength and conviction, these clowns voting for weakness damage Trump‘s authority, even if article 2 of the constitution doesn’t require the president to get approval from Congress to do his job. Trump may be the greatest negotiator we’ve ever had for a president, but republicans are more comfortable with appeasement, and we have seen the results of Republican cowards in our forever wars.
This is blow-back for the 20+ years the AUMF was used to do nearly anything Bush, Obama, Trump, or Biden wanted to do with the military.
No president should be given an open checkbook for war without Congress looking at the numbers and plan.
Todd Young does not represent me in this matter, and his statement is a bold faced lie. He will no longer get my vote in future elections.
Are they voting to undo the Authorization to Use Force against Terrorism, which gives the decision on whether and when to use force specifically and exclusively to the Commander-in-Chief?
I don’t get it. DOGE exposed fraud and waste that has existed for as long as these jokes have been elected. They take what may be a responsible stand on this but nothing else? They all should be gone and term limits must be the order of the day. That will solve the establishment concerns. Congress must take their role seriously instead of hiding behind the executive orders and court decisions that support their ‘side’. Congress is the grist mill of grifting.
The usual collection of morons and evil people.
Theater. A bill, if it makes it to Trump’s desk will be vetoed.
I see, and can articulate, problems with military actions such as this one. That is different than actually “having a problem with it.” I don’t.
Yes, just as I said. Virtue signalling.
Although I don't know what virtue there is in emasculating the presidency. Trump will not be the last President who needs to use the military to protect the U.S.
And, thankfully, their chances of success in accomplishing that are statistically zero.
Seems pretty impotent to me.
Congress? LOL
They can’t oversee billions in welfare fraud.
😄
In a more perfect world, perhaps, but for the instances where speed is mandatory for success we have to have one person with over-riding authority. That the larger government body left out of the loop should be grateful that any blowback lands on the President doesn't satisfy those who relish power or "run tell dat" to our enemies.
These "CLOWNS" have lost my SUPPORT PERMANENTLY.
Todd Young is a RINO. He’s awful.
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