Rand Paul Set To Join Dems To Force Trump To Go Through Congress If He Wants To Declare War Against Venezuela

Republican Sen. Rand Paul is set to join Democrats in refiling a resolution demanding the Trump administration not to declare war against Venezuela without congressional approval.

"War powers belong to Congress, not the White House. The latest boat-strike revelations make that clearer than ever. I'm demanding answers and insisting Congress reclaim its constitutional authority," Paul said in a social media publication.

War powers belong to Congress, not the White House. The latest boat-strike revelations make that clearer than ever. I’m demanding answers and insisting Congress reclaim its constitutional authority.https://t.co/VWr4HDltjN

— Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 2, 2025

The first attempt failed, but Democratic Sen. Time Kaine expressed confidence in the new attempt, saying that the vote was "before all of these assets have amassed around Venezuela, and before President Trump said that the airspace needs to be closed."

"The circumstances have changed in the months since we had that vote. In each of these instances, we were able to get two Republicans to vote together with Democrats," Kaine added.

He went on to make reference to a report claiming that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed all members aboard an alleged drug boat be killed, an order that prompted forces to conduct a second strike to finish off survivors. "We do believe that we will get more support for these motions when they are refiled," Kaine said.

Paul, on his end, has repeatedly criticized the administration for its actions, saying in late November that it is "pretending we are 'at war'" to "justify blowing up boats all without a vote, without transparency and without answering to Congress."

"If it's war, declare it. If it's not, stop acting like it is," Paul said in a social media publication that included an appearance on CBS News' Face the Nation.

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