Senate Republicans on Wednesday successfully dismissed a war powers resolution that would have restricted President Donald Trump’s authority to launch further military actions against Venezuela.

The vote, which required Vice President JD Vance to break a 50-50 deadlock, came after intense pressure from Trump led two GOP senators, Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana, to reverse their earlier support for the measure, despite initial backing from five Republicans alongside Democrats last week.

The debate, forced by Democrats following a surprise U.S. military raid earlier this month to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, has reignited concerns in Congress about Trump’s broad use of military power and his foreign policy goals, including threats of action against Greenland.

Trump's Influence Over GOP Senators

Supporters of Trump’s policies contend that his leadership in the Venezuela operation showcases decisive action against longstanding issues in the region, Newsmax reported.

Trump himself, speaking in Michigan on Tuesday, hailed the raid as a triumph, stating, “Here we have one of the most successful attacks ever and they find a way to be against it. It’s pretty amazing.” Yet, one wonders if such bravado masks deeper questions about unchecked executive power that even loyal allies are starting to ponder.

The flip by Hawley and Young, after direct pressure from Trump and assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio, underscores how tightly the president grips party loyalty, even as unease simmers over his aggressive stance on military engagements abroad.

Concerns Over Military Overreach Grow

Democrats, joined by a few steadfast Republicans like Rand Paul (KY), Lisa Murkowski (AK), and Susan Collins (ME), pushed the resolution as a necessary check after Trump’s administration built up naval forces in the Caribbean and destroyed vessels tied to alleged drug trafficking from Venezuela.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned, “What happened tonight is a roadmap to another endless war.” Such dire predictions might sound like partisan hand-wringing, but they tap into a real fear that military actions, sold as law enforcement like Maduro’s capture, could spiral without oversight.

The administration insists Maduro’s seizure was a targeted operation for extradition on U.S. charges from 2020, not a broader conflict, and a heavily redacted Justice Department memo released Wednesday claims no plans exist for sustained operations in Venezuela.

Greenland Threats Add to Tensions

Yet, Trump’s rhetoric doesn’t stop at Venezuela—he’s also threatened military moves to claim Greenland from a NATO ally, leaving senior Republicans scrambling to mend ties with Denmark after fruitless talks with Danish officials on Wednesday.

This Greenland fixation, paired with Trump’s pledge to “run” Venezuela for years, has even staunch supporters questioning where the line is drawn. If allies aren’t safe from such bold claims, what’s to stop further overreach?

Meanwhile, a new AP-NORC poll reveals over half of Americans think Trump has overstepped in using military force abroad, a sentiment that House Democrats are seizing on with their own war powers resolution set for a possible vote next week.

Debate Stifled by Party Lines

Back in the Senate, Republican leaders like Majority Leader John Thune argued the resolution was unnecessary since no active military operations are underway in Venezuela, dismissing Democratic efforts as mere political theater.

Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, a consistent advocate for war powers limits, countered that suppressing debate only hides the administration’s shaky legal justifications. If the cause is just, why dodge a public airing of the facts on the Senate floor?