Republican senators took a step to stop Americaarmy attack President Trump’s administration has taken a stand against alleged boats off the coast of Venezuela, arguing that they are smuggling drugs into the country.
ResolutionThe bill, led by Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff (Calif.) and Tim Kaine (Va.), failed to pass on Wednesday by a 48-51 vote.
The measure would block the U.S. military from intercepting ships from Venezuela that the president argued were smuggling fentanyl into the U.S.
“And we are here today to ask our colleagues to join us in this non-partisan vote in affirming the right of Congress to declare war or refuse to declare it, to authorize force or to refuse to authorize it,” Schiff said before the Senate vote on Wednesday.
The California senator said, “We have been precise and deliberate in crafting this proposal to ensure that the United States’ ability to target terrorist groups is not covered by existing congressional authorizations to use military force.”
The US military has carried out four strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea since the beginning of September, killing a total of 21 people, according to the Trump administration. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saidlatest strikeIn the incident earlier this month, a boat allegedly carrying drugs was taken out in international waters, killing four people on board.
Colombia’s President Gustavo Petroalleged It was reported on Wednesday that the latest boat attacked by the Trump administration was Colombian and carrying Colombian citizens. Hill has contacted Colombia’s embassy in Washington, DC for further comment.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who sits on the Senate Committee on Armed Services, opposed the resolution and argued that the administration’s four strikes were “legitimately correct”.
“President Trump said very clearly and repeatedly during the campaign that he would attack these cartels if necessary. It only makes sense to keep his promise to the American people. At the same time, the President’s attacks were legitimate and extremely limited,” Cotton said before the vote. “Because they have been going on for less than 60 days. They don’t even fall under the war powers resolution limits.”
Last week, the Presidentdeclared That the US is now at war with drug cartels designated as terrorist organizations by the administration provides a legal rationale for attacks on ships in the Caribbean Sea.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio argued that the measure is unconstitutional and could endanger the lives of children and others.
“This proposal aims to strip President Trump of his constitutional authority to defend Americans by authorizing military strikes against narco-terrorists, the Houthis, and other Iranian proxies,” Rubio said.Said X on Wednesday. “This is dangerous – it puts our children, civilians, soldiers and allies at risk.”
Republican Senators Rand Paul (Ky.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) were the only two GOP lawmakers to support Wednesday’s resolution, while Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) was the only Democrat to vote against the resolution.
“The United States should not blow up boats without knowing who is on them,” Paul said.Said X on Wednesday. “There is no due process in this – no names, no evidence, no oversight.”
