These Republicans broke from Trump in rare split over Venezuela war powers
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Five Republicans broke from President Trump in voting to advance the war powers resolution that would curb further military action in Venezuela without congressional approval.
Why it matters: The GOP largely stands behind the operation in Venezuela. The rare rebuke sparked fury from the president, who called for the five lawmakers — including vulnerable incumbent Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) — to "never be elected to office again."
- The rebuke comes as Trump has threatened multiple countries with potential military intervention, citing his so-called Donroe Doctrine, a play on the Monroe Doctrine.
Driving the news: The Senate voted 52-47 in favor of a measure that would curb any future military actions in Venezuela following the capture of the country's leader, Nicolás Maduro.
- Trump quickly bashed the senators who aligned with Democrats, writing on Truth Social: "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."
- "This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President's Authority as Commander in Chief," he added.
Who voted against the resolution
The five Republican senators who supported the measure:
- Rand Paul of Kentucky.
- Susan Collins of Maine.
- Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
- Todd Young of Indiana.
- Josh Hawley of Missouri.
Flashback: Senate Republicans rejected a similar resolution last year to block Trump's boat strike campaign off the coast of Venezuela, which killed more than 100 people.
Consequences for war resolution vote
What's next: Thursday's vote was procedural, but it suggests there's interest in the Senate to fully pass the resolution. That vote is expected to happen next week.
- The House would still need to consider the resolution.
- The White House said Trump would veto the measure.
Some of the Republicans who broke with Trump could face political consequences.
- Collins is in one of the nation's most high-profile Senate races. Democrats see her as their top GOP target in November.
- In December, Trump advisers were furious with Hawley for starting an anti-abortion group to escalate new action on the issue, which the White House sees as a loser for the GOP in the midterms, Axios' Alex Isenstadt writes.
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