Pennsylvania senators disagreed when voting on Virginia Senator Tim Kaine a resolution that “would direct the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that have not been authorized by Congress.”
Senator John Fetterman joined other Democrats and five other Republicans in supporting the resolution, which passed by a 52-47 majority. Senator Dave McCormick joined the rest of the GOP caucus in voting against the resolution.
In a social media post, Fetterman clarified his position, stating that while he believed the arrest of the Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro was positive, he voted for the resolution to continue the debate in the Senate.
Earlier, Fetterman mentioned that he did unsure about his voicestating that it wanted to ensure that the resolution would not prevent an operation such as the one aimed at capturing Maduro from being carried out in the future.
“Instead of addressing Americans’ concerns about the affordability crisis, President Trump has launched a war on Venezuela that is deeply disrespectful to America’s troops, deeply unpopular, suspiciously secretive and possibly corrupt. How is this ‘America First?'” Kaine said. “Trump’s war is also clearly illegal because this military action was ordered without the congressional authorization required by the Constitution.”
With Democrats and Senator Rand PaulRepublicans who voted for this measure Sense. Susan Collins from Maine, Lisa Murkowska from Alaska, Todd Young from Indiana and Josh Hawley from Missouri.
Paul said some members of Congress want to “put the burden of starting a war on the president” rather than take responsibility.
“But make no mistake, bombing another country’s capital and removing its leader is an act of war, plain and simple,” the Kentucky Republican said. “No provision of the Constitution grants the president such powers.”
Before the vote Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) urged senators to reject the war powers measure, calling Maduro’s capture by the U.S. military a law enforcement operation.
“This does not make America stronger. It makes America weaker and less safe,” Barrasso said in a written statement. “It would weaken the legal, constitutional power of the President. That body, the United States Senate, is being asked whether the President of the United States has the authority to arrest accused criminals. Of course he does.”
