In a dramatic turn of events, two Republican senators who previously supported advancing a war powers resolution aimed at reining in President Trump’s military authority flipped their votes on Wednesday — effectively killing the measure.
The resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and co-sponsored by the unlikely trio of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and others, was designed to block Trump from launching military action against Venezuela without first getting congressional approval.
But despite its momentum last week — when five GOP senators broke ranks to move it forward — the resolution ran into a brick wall Wednesday when Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Todd Young (R-IN) reversed course and voted to support a procedural point of order, blocking the Senate from even debating the measure. That vote ended 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the decisive tie-breaking vote.
What changed? Pressure. From the top.
President Trump reportedly launched into a “profanity-laced” tirade over the GOP defections, personally calling senators — including a particularly heated phone call with Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME). Then he took to Truth Social, unloading on the five Republicans who sided with Democrats and accusing them of betrayal. “They should never be elected to office again,” he blasted.
Vance buries war powers resolution, shielding Trump’s free hand
With a tie-breaking vote from JD Vance, Senate Republicans killed a war-powers resolution that would have limited further US military action against Venezuela, – pic.twitter.com/qyozYBP7eA
— Vegas
(@vegasyx) January 15, 2026
(@vegasyx) The message was received.
Hawley said his reversal came after receiving a letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio assuring him there are no U.S. troops in Venezuela, and if any were to be deployed, Congress would be consulted first. Young echoed that claim, saying he got “commitments” from national security officials that any major military action would come before Congress.
Apparently, that was enough to bring them back in line.
Meanwhile, the original GOP dissenters — Collins, Murkowski, and Paul — stuck with their previous stance and voted against the move to block debate. All Democrats did the same. But the math wasn’t there.
The defeat means the war powers resolution is now dead, at least for now. But don’t expect Democrats to let this go. The moment they sense Trump might act again in Venezuela without asking for permission, they’ll be back with another resolution, and another fight.
One thing’s clear: Trump is calling the shots — and when he picks up the phone, some senators listen.
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