Republicans try to scuttle Venezuela war powers vote after Trump fury

• All eyes are on Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), both of whom have said they've received calls from Trump — and have declined to say how they plan to cast their final votes.

Zoom in: Republicans discussed the resolution in their closed-door lunch on Tuesday.

• Senate GOP Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and others argued that the idea of the war powers resolution is moot given there are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela.
• Barrasso suggested raising a point of order to table the vote on Wednesday, telling Axios the measure does not qualify for expedited floor consideration. It could be a more palatable option for the GOP detractors than flipping their vote.
• Democrats made a similar move in 2024 to avoid a vote on a resolution brought by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) related to the humanitarian pier in Gaza.

What they're saying: "Privileged motion has to do with current war activities, and since there aren't any, I don't think that this ought to be able to come to the floor," Barrasso told Axios on Tuesday after the lunch.

• "There are no boots on the ground," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said at a Tuesday press conference.
• "I think it's very fair for Republicans to question why we ought to be having this discussion right now, particularly at a time when we're trying to do appropriations bills,' he added.