Senate Republicans block Democrats from forcing War Powers vote over drug boat strikes

Senate Republicans on Wednesday night successfully blocked Democrats in the upper chamber from forcing a vote on legislation that would bar President Donald Trump from using military force "against non-state organizations until formally authorized by Congress.”

The resolution was introduced in response to the Trump administration's recent strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean they believe are primarily coming from Venezuela. It also comes after Trump notified Congress last week that it is engaged in “non-international armed conflict” with Latin American drug cartels deemed “designated terrorist organizations.”

Senate Republicans largely blocked the effort in a 51-48 split that was primarily along party lines. 

Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman voted against the resolution while Republican Sens. Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted with Democrats in supporting the resolution. Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz did not vote.

Paul said he opposed the administration's actions because he was not satisfied with the administration's justification, and that destroying them went too far without proof of who was on board and whether they were actually transporting drugs.

“If anyone gave a you-know-what about justice, perhaps those in charge of deciding whom to kill might let us know their names, present proof of their guilt and show evidence of their crimes,” Paul told the New York Times.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, last week supported Trump's actions to stop drug smuggling, stating the president had the authority to take the actions without further congressional approval under “his general powers under the Constitution as the commander in chief.”

 “What could be a bigger defense of this country than keeping out this poison that’s killing thousands of Americans every year?” Risch told reporters.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.