The U.S. Senate is expected to hold a vote on Thursday regarding a critical war powers resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump’s military authority in Venezuela. This comes in light of significant political scrutiny following a recent military operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Introduced by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, the resolution mandates that Trump obtain congressional approval before engaging in further military actions against Venezuela. Lawmakers were not informed prior to a special forces raid that took place on Saturday, which involved capturing Maduro and relocating him to New York City to face allegations of “narco-terrorism.”

“After the administration’s actions over the weekend, which led to injuries among U.S. service members, Congress has a responsibility to clarify its stance to the American public,” Kaine stated during a speech on the Senate floor.

The growing concerns surrounding U.S. military involvement in Venezuela reflect a broader sentiment among Americans that war should be a last resort, rather than based on unilateral decisions by a single individual.

This resolution marks a continued effort by the Democratic minority in Congress to halt Trump’s aggressive military strategy against Venezuela’s government, which escalated in September with Trump’s authorization of airstrikes against vessels he claimed were transporting illicit drugs.

These strikes have reportedly resulted in at least 110 fatalities, though experts have contested Trump’s assertions regarding the drug issues involved. Controversy has further intensified due to military actions that allegedly included executing survivors of a strike instead of capturing them.

Previous attempts to implement similar war powers resolutions have narrowly failed to receive sufficient support from the Republican majority. Many Republican lawmakers have supported Trump’s airstrikes on Venezuela and the capture of Maduro, viewing them as effective expressions of U.S. power.

“The world is safer with Maduro in the U.S. justice system,” remarked Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson after briefings from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In the Senate, a couple of Republicans, notably Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, have diverged from party lines to back earlier war powers resolutions. Paul expressed the necessity for Congress to take charge of military decisions, stating that allowing the President to act without legislative oversight could lead to a nation governed by emergency measures.

“The principle of opposing unjustified military actions isn’t only about the current administration; it’s about protecting future leaders as well,” Paul noted to reporters.

However, Democrats may face their own internal divisions. Senator John Fetterman from Pennsylvania praised the recent military action as a “positive development for Venezuela,” raising questions about party cohesion on this issue.

“As a Democrat, I don’t see why we can’t recognize a positive outcome for Venezuelans and how effectively our military executed this plan,” he commented on social media.

Regardless of the outcome of Thursday’s vote, Democrats appear determined to continue addressing this issue. Kaine indicated that other resolutions could be introduced aimed at limiting military actions concerning countries such as Nigeria, Cuba, Mexico, and Colombia—nations that Trump has discussed attacking in the past year.

Gregory Meeks, the leading Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed frustration with the recent briefings, criticizing Rubio and Hegseth for failing to adequately address lawmakers’ inquiries. Following the rejection of his previous war powers resolution, Meeks is contemplating a new proposal.

“I’ve yet to see sufficient justification for our military actions. We have shifted focus from combating drugs to regime change and oil interests,” Meeks stated. “We need another war powers resolution and a vote because these actions should concern both Democrats and Republicans alike.”