Vote to block military action

Senate Democrats look ahead to future vote to block military action in Venezuela

From CNN’s Morgan Rimmer

Top Senate Democrats are pushing the chamber to swiftly pass a resolution to block military action in Venezuela next week, after the measure advanced today.

The Senate voted 52-47 to consider the resolution on the Senate floor, with five Republican senators joining Democrats.

“I’m very grateful to the Republicans who joined us. It was not a partisan act. It was a constitutional one. We forced Republicans to face what is obvious,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. “Trump will not stop here and won’t stop now. Today’s vote sends a clear signal: no president, no matter how reckless, no matter how egotistical, gets a blank check to wage large scale military action abroad.”

With the January 30 government funding deadline bearing down on Congress, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has been clear that he wants to take next week to process appropriations bills in the Senate, rather than consider the war powers resolution.

However, Schumer said he is “absolutely” confident they can deal with both issues next week. “We will work with Sen. Kaine so we can do both,” he said.

Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, a cosponsor of the war powers resolution, noted that there will be an open amendment process, which could take more time, but argued that in the past both sides have been able to agree on a smaller slate of amendments to consider.

“I don’t think my colleagues on the other side thought it was going to pass. So I’m not sure that they’ve really thought that that through,” he added.