Vote To Block Trump From Striking Narco Boats In Venezuela Fails, As Shutdown Continues

The Senate on Thursday voted down an effort to block President Donald Trump from conducting strikes against alleged drug smugglers off the coast of Venezuela without congressional approval.

The War Powers Resolution, introduced by Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, failed to pass the upper chamber 51 to 49, just a day after Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth briefed top congressional members on the strikes — which some Democrats claimed lacked details on the operations. The resolution would have requiredTrump “to terminate the use of” U.S. armed forces “for hostilities within or against Venezuela,” citing a lack of congressional approval to authorize military involvement in the region.

Two Republican Senators joined Kaine’s effort, including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky. The resolution was cosponsored by Paul and Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff.

The vote was held on the 37th day of the government shutdown, which Kaine, Paul and Schiff all voted to prolong 14 times.

At least 67 people have been killed in the 16 strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific since Sept. 2.

Trump confirmed he authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to carry out covert lethal operations inside Venezuela on Oct. 16, prompting Kaine to introduce his legislation the same day. The administration has since moved about 10% of its naval power into the region, according to