Senator Chuck Schumer announced on October 8, 2023, that he plans to introduce a resolution under the War Powers Act aimed at preventing further military operations in Venezuela. This statement follows President Donald Trump‘s recent claim of a successful operation that resulted in the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, facilitated by American military forces.
During an appearance on “This Week” with host George Stephanopoulos, Schumer criticized the operation, labeling it as “lawlessness” and asserting that Congress must take action. “The American people this morning, George, are scratching their heads in wonderment and in fear of what the president’s proposed,” Schumer stated. He emphasized that past attempts at regime change have led to significant costs, both in terms of lives lost and financial expenditure.
Concerns Over Military Authority
Schumer argued that the Trump administration lacked the necessary authority to conduct such military operations. He highlighted that Trump had declared during a press conference that the U.S. was “running” Venezuela, with senior officials in charge of the operation. “They did not just do ships off the water,” Schumer noted. “They went inside Venezuela, bombed civilian as well as military places, and it’s a violation of the law to do what they did without getting the authorization of Congress.”
In response to the operation, some critics, including podcasters Keith Olbermann and Dean Obeidallah, took to social media platform BlueSky to call for Trump’s impeachment. Several Congressional Democrats condemned the operation as an illegal act of war, with Schumer accusing administration officials of misleading both the public and Congress.
Legislative Action on the Horizon
As discussions progressed, Stephanopoulos inquired about what Congress could do in response. Schumer replied that they would utilize the War Powers Act, citing that it is a privileged resolution, meaning it cannot be blocked by Republican opposition. He mentioned that he, along with Senators Tim Kaine and Rand Paul, are sponsors of the resolution, which is expected to be brought to the floor for a vote this week. If passed in both houses, it would prevent the president from taking further military action in Venezuela without Congressional approval.
Schumer’s stance contrasts sharply with his comments from March 2020, when he criticized Trump for not doing enough to remove Maduro from power. At that time, Schumer expressed frustration over Trump’s Venezuela policy, stating, “The President brags about his Venezuela policy? Give us a break. He hasn’t brought an end to the Maduro regime.”
As the situation unfolds, the response from Congress and the implications of Trump’s military actions remain crucial topics of discussion among lawmakers and the American public alike.
