US House blocks Democratic bid to curb Trump military actions in Caribbean, Venezuela

The US House of Representatives rejected two Democrat-led war powers resolutions aimed at curbing the Trump administration’s military actions in the Caribbean Sea and against Venezuela, dealing a setback to efforts to reassert congressional authority over the use of force.

One measure, introduced by Representative Gregory Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, sought to compel the president to withdraw US armed forces from “hostilities with presidentially designated terrorist organizations in the Western Hemisphere” unless Congress issued a formal declaration of war or granted specific authorization. The resolution failed by a 210–216 vote, despite support from two Republicans and the vast majority of Democrats, CNN reports.

A second resolution, sponsored by Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, would have directed the removal of US armed forces from hostilities “within or against Venezuela” in the absence of a declaration of war or congressional approval. That measure was also defeated, falling on a largely party-line vote of 211–213. Three Republicans broke with their party to support the resolution, while one Democrat voted against it.

Even if either measure had passed the House, both resolutions would still have required approval by the Senate to take effect.

By Vafa Guliyeva