After President Donald Trump ordered the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro without congressional approval, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) has pushed for a resolution to restrict Trump’s power to use military force “within or against Venezuela” unless he receives approval from Congress first.
On Thursday, the Senate voted (52-47) to advance the resolution.
Note: Five Republicans voted with Democrats on the bipartisan resolution: Sens. Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rand Paul (KY), Josh Hawley (MO), and Todd Young (IN). Trump responded by saying those five “should never be elected to office again.”
To my Republican colleagues, the Vice President is spitting in your face and openly flouting your constitutional authority.
Time to decide if you came here to be a Member of Congress or a cheerleader for whatever Trump wants. https://t.co/nlOJTX4SVq
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) January 8, 2026
Vice President JD Vance responded to the issue during a White House press conference. Vance said: “As I believe the President has already said, every president, Democrat or Republican, believes the War Powers Act is fundamentally a fake and unconstitutional law.”
The Vice President added, “It’s not going to change anything about how we conduct foreign policy over the next couple of weeks or the next couple of months.”
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) replied: “To my Republican colleagues, the Vice President is spitting in your face and openly flouting your constitutional authority. Time to decide if you came here to be a Member of Congress or a cheerleader for whatever Trump wants.”