Hawley flips on war powers resolution that would block action in Venezuela

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., confirmed that he would work to defeat a resolution that would constrain President Donald Trump's ability to pursue military actions in Venezuela after he drew the ire of the president for supporting it.

Hawley was one of five Republicans earlier this month who joined Democrats in backing the plan. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Todd Young of Indiana also broke ranks.

The Missouri lawmaker told Punchbowl News on Wednesday that he would vote against the resolution because Secretary of State Marco Rubio had told him that the administration would seek congressional approval if they moved to deploy troops on the ground in Venezuela.

His about-face followed public rebuke from Trump, who said that Republicans should be "ashamed" of Hawley and the other GOP dissidents for their vote.

Hawley has a long-standing record of criticizing foreign adventurism and opposing expanding geopolitical entanglements. He was the sole opposing vote when the Senate approved the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO in 2022.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.