Political professor says senate ‘War Powers Resolution’ vote signals lack of support for Trump’s military action in Venezuela

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Democrats and five Republicans -- including Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley -- on Thursday advanced a War Powers Resolution to limit President Donald Trump's military force in Venezuela.

The measure passed with a 52-47 vote after the President has threatened to attack Venezuela for a second around of strikes after the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife last week.

Shortly after the vote, Trump took to Truth Social and said "The senators, should never be elected to office again.”

Hawley took to X on Thursday giving an explanation for his vote.

"With regard to Venezuela, my read of the Constitution is that if the President feels the need to put boots on the ground there in the future, Congress would need to vote on it. That’s why I voted yes on this morning’s Senate resolution," Hawley wrote.

With regard to Venezuela, my read of the Constitution is that if the President feels the need to put boots on the ground there in the future, Congress would need to vote on it. That’s why I voted yes on this morning’s Senate resolution.

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 8, 2026

The four other Republicans who voted with Democrats were Rand Paul, of Kentucky; Susan Collins, of Maine; Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska; and Todd Young, of Indiana.

The legislation is led by Sen. Tim Kaine, (D-Va). Charles Zug, a political science professor at the University of Missouri, said lawmakers are likely concerned the conflict could expand.

"Probably the broadest concern is that this military intervention could escalate, it could end up committing more U.S. resources, actually committing U.S. troops. By the way, Trump hasn't ruled any of those out," Zug said.

The War Powers Resolution was passed in 1973 after Congress overrode a veto by President Richard Nixon. The measure ultimately requires congressional authority over the use of military force and requires presidents to notify lawmakers of their decision.

Thursday's vote moves the measure to a full Senate vote next week.

"The resolution today was significant because this basically signaled there were the votes when it comes time to actually pass the resolution," Zug said. "When it gets to a joint resolution, which is where majorities of both chambers vote in favor of a measure, in this case, a measure saying 'We do not authorize the administration, the president, to take additional measures in Venezuela. Even when it comes to that, there's no binding."

Presidents of both parties, Zug noted, have long argued that the War Powers Resolution does not limit their authority.

"Presidents consistently claim that they don't need that authority. They say that the War Powers Resolution is superfluous, it doesn't actually bind them," Zug said. "What the Senate, and Congress, is doing right now even if it does pass, it will have symbolic importance. Trump doesn't leave office or go to jail, or the military doesn't lose money or generals aren't fired if the Congress passes these resolutions."

If approved by the Senate, the resolution would head to the president’s desk, where Trump is expected to veto it. Congress could override the veto, but needs a two-thirds majority in both chambers.

"It takes two thirds supermajority in both chambers," Zug said. "You have to get a bunch more bipartisan support, a bunch more Republicans have to peel off and vote with the Democrats."