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House Republicans are condemning efforts to curb Trump’s military authority to operate in Venezuela, pouring cold water on a war powers resolution making its way through the Senate.
To Rep. Mark Messmer, R-Ind., there’s a bright line for when Congress might need to consider it, and in his estimation, the president hasn’t crossed it.
“If we’re going to be there for an extended period, [Trump] needs congressional authority to do that. To do what he did last weekend does not,” Messmer said Thursday, referring to the Jan. 3 military operation when the United States apprehended Maduro by force.
MARCO RUBIO EMERGES AS KEY TRUMP POWER PLAYER AFTER VENEZUELA OPERATION
President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with oil executives in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Jan. 9, 2026. (Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The Senate measure, spearheaded by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., would require President Donald Trump to secure congressional approval to conduct any further military activity in Venezuela, citing the legal requirements laid out by the Constitution for U.S. entry into wars. The Senate’s resolution comes as Democrats have slammed Trump for his capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in an operation earlier this month.
In its initial consideration in the Senate, five Republican lawmakers joined with Democrats to advance the measure.
Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., believes their support is a misunderstanding of the Constitution — a mischaracterization of what took place in Venezuela.
“The War Powers Resolution has never been ruled constitutional,” Tenney said, referring to past efforts to reel in the power of the executive.
“This is also partially a law enforcement action. Maduro and his wife and others were indicted in a court, in a federal court. [Trump] has very, very meticulously carried out law enforcement action in addition to securing our national security interests in the Western…
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