Senate blocks Venezuela war powers resolution after Vance breaks 50-50 tie

On Jan. 14, 2026, the Senate voted 51-50 to block a war powers resolution sponsored by Sen. TKTim Kaine (D-🏛️Virginia) that would have forced the Trump administration to seek congressional approval for further military action in Venezuela. Vice President JVJD Vance traveled to Capitol Hill to cast the tie-breaking vote after the Senate deadlocked 50-50. The resolution would have invoked the Vietnam War-era War Powers Resolution that gives Congress a check on the president's deployments abroad.

Last week, five Republican senators—JHJosh Hawley (R-🌉Missouri), Todd Young (R-🏎️Indiana), SCSusan Collins (R-🦞Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-🐻Alaska), and Rand Paul (R-🐴Kentucky)—voted with Democrats to advance the resolution in a stunning defeat for Trump after he ordered the strike that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. By Wednesday, Hawley and Young had flipped their positions after what Hawley described as "a series of communications with the White House," reducing GOP defectors to three and creating the 50-50 deadlock.

Republicans used a procedural maneuver to kill the resolution, arguing it should no longer be considered "privileged"—which gives it priority on the Senate floor—because the U.S. isn't currently engaged in "hostilities" with Venezuela. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-🗿South Dakota) stated, "We're not currently conducting military operations there. But Democrats are taking up this bill because their anti-Trump hysteria knows no bounds." The procedural vote prevented the Senate from holding a substantive debate on the administration's Venezuela intervention.

Hawley told reporters he changed his mind after reviewing a letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that eased his concerns about troops being deployed for a ground operation in Venezuela. Rubio's letter stated, "There are currently no U.S. Armed Forces in Venezuela. Should there be any new military operations that introduce U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities, they will be undertaken consistent with the Constitution of the United States and we will transmit written notifications consistent with section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution."

Young said in a statement that he changed his mind after receiving assurances from senior national security officials "that there are no American troops in Venezuela" and "a commitment that if President Trump were to determine American forces are needed in major military operations in Venezuela, the Administration will come to Congress in advance to ask for an authorization of force." Despite these assurances, the resolution would have codified this requirement in law rather than relying on Trump's promises.

Trump had publicly attacked the five Republican defectors after last week's vote, calling them out by name on social media and vowing to end their political careers. The president and Rubio personally called Hawley and Young to pressure them to switch votes. Senate Minority Leader CSChuck Schumer said after the vote, "Senate Republicans continually fall in line behind Donald Trump no matter how reckless, no matter how unconstitutional, no matter the potential cost of American lives. What has happened tonight is a road map to another endless war because this Senate, under Republican leadership, failed to assert its legitimate and needed authority."

Sen. TKTim Kaine, who sponsored the resolution, said it was "disappointing that my colleagues let the president sort of beat them into submission." Kaine lamented that the procedural vote would block a public debate on the administration's actions in Venezuela. The vote represents Trump's significant influence over his party and his willingness to attack any member who steps out of line with his agenda. Collins, Murkowski, and Paul maintained their support for the resolution despite White House pressure, but their three votes weren't enough without Hawley and Young.