RINOs are still an issue in the Republican party. They’ll do anything to mess with the president.
And now five Republicans just betrayed Donald Trump in a high profile vote.
Senate Advances War Powers Resolution on Venezuela
The Senate voted 52-47 on January 8, 2026, to advance a War Powers resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s ability to engage in further military actions in Venezuela.
The vote followed the U.S. capture of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro five days earlier.
Five Republican senators joined Democrats in supporting the advancement: Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Josh Hawley (Missouri), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Rand Paul (Kentucky), and Todd Young (Indiana).
The resolution, if fully passed by both chambers, would require the president to end hostilities in Venezuela.
It was originally proposed by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and reintroduced with support from Kaine, Paul, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).
GOP leadership opposed the measure.
Background on the Venezuela Operation
The resolution comes after a U.S. raid on January 3, 2026, that captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
They were transported to Manhattan federal court for arraignment on January 5 on narco-terrorism and weapons charges.
The Trump administration has described the operation as a law enforcement action based on a federal indictment.
The administration has also imposed an oil quarantine on Venezuela and conducted strikes against alleged drug boats.
Trump has amassed military assets in the region.
In a New York Times interview, Trump stated, “We will rebuild it in a very profitable way. We’re going to be using oil, and we’re going to be taking oil. We’re getting oil prices down, and we’re going to be giving money to Venezuela, which they desperately need.”
He indicated the process could take years and has not ruled out ground troops.
Reactions from Key Figures
President Trump criticized the vote on Truth Social, stating, “Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America.”
He named the five GOP defectors and said they “should never be elected to office again.”
Trump added, “This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief. In any event, and despite their ‘stupidity,’ the War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me.”
Senate Minority Leader Schumer said ahead of the vote, “In the Senate, we Democrats are fighting to prevent military adventurism in Venezuela and other countries and endless wars.”
He referenced Trump’s comments, noting, “Donald Trump said last night in his interview with The New York Times. It could take years to solve the problem in Venezuela. That is not what Americans want.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) supported advancing the resolution “so we can continue this important debate on the floor of the Senate.”
Fetterman added, “I believe the arrest of Maduro was a positive development for Venezuela and its people.”
The White House stated in a memo, “The actions of our Armed Forces have been directed by the President consistent with his inherent responsibility to protect US citizens both at home and abroad.”
Next Steps and Broader Context
The resolution requires passage in both the Senate and House to take effect.
It can advance with a simple majority in the Senate.
Similar war powers resolutions are under consideration regarding potential actions against Iran or involving Greenland.
Last year, Congress repealed authorizations for use of military force related to the Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq invasion as part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act.
