The U.S. House of Representatives has overwhelmingly rejected two Democratic-led war powers resolutions designed to block presidential military actions against drug cartels and Venezuela without congressional authorization.
The first measure, introduced by Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY), sought to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with any presidentially designated terrorist organization in the Western Hemisphere unless Congress explicitly authorized military engagement. The proposal failed on a 210-216 vote. Two Republicans—Reps. Thomas Massie (KY) and Don Bacon (NE)—voted in favor alongside most Democrats.
A second resolution, introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), would have required congressional approval before U.S. forces engaged in hostilities within or against Venezuela. This measure also fell short with a 211-213 vote. McGovern’s resolution received support from Bacon, Massie, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), while Rep. Cuellar aligned with all Republicans in voting against it. Rep. Gonzalez did not cast a ballot on the second measure despite opposing the first war powers resolution.
The drug-related military operations began on September 2 and have become a flashpoint in President Trump’s aggressive approach to combating illicit trafficking. This campaign has drawn sharp divisions between administration allies, who defend the interventions as necessary for national security, and critics who argue the president lacks constitutional authority to conduct such actions without explicit congressional approval.
Similarly, Trump’s strategy regarding Venezuela—including a blockade of oil tankers—has raised concerns over potential escalation with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who has reportedly ordered naval escorts for vessels attempting to bypass restrictions.
“I think it’s immoral — not just a strategic failure, but a moral failure — that we have a president beating the drums of war without so much as a vote from the House of Representatives,” McGovern stated on the House floor. “This is not ‘America First.’”
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and other Republican leaders have consistently aligned with Trump’s positions on these issues. However, Democrats advanced both resolutions through House rules permitting minority party members to propose “privileged” measures. Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) declared: “As I said on the House floor, I oppose the War Powers Resolution that would block the President from acting against terrorist organizations in Venezuela and across our hemisphere. It sends the wrong message at the wrong time. We must stand firm and confront narco-terrorists like Nicolás Maduro, not tie the President’s hands. I urge my colleagues to vote NO.”
These votes mark the first congressional scrutiny of Trump’s military campaign in Central and South America. A majority of Republicans in the Senate previously opposed similar resolutions, and Trump would almost certainly veto them if they passed Congress.
