Sen. Kaine Seeks Congressional Action on Venezuela
Senator Tim Kaine has voiced concerns that escalating tensions could lead more Republicans to support efforts to stop President Trump from initiating military action against Venezuela.
Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, has previously attempted to pass a resolution under the War Powers Act aimed at blocking military involvement in Venezuela, though his efforts have not succeeded. He now predicts that Trump would gather additional backing if military strikes were launched against the country.
“I believe the numbers will change,” Kaine stated during an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.” He discussed his earlier resolution that aimed to prevent war against Venezuela without Congressional approval, which unfortunately failed.
“But, you know, that was before all these military assets gathered around Venezuela and before Trump suggested we need to close the airspace,” he added.
Kaine mentioned he would collaborate with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Republican Rand Paul, and Democrat Adam Schiff to activate the War Powers Act “immediately” if military actions were taken.
The War Powers Act of 1973 places restrictions on the president, requiring Congressional approval for military force abroad and allowing Congress to pass resolutions against actions they oppose.
Democrats in Virginia believe that renewed efforts could gain traction due to recent allegations about Army Secretary Pete Hegseth’s involvement in a recent airstrike mission.
Kaine’s past bill was narrowly defeated, with only two Republicans, Paul and Senator Lisa Murkowski, breaking ranks. He’s also trying to prevent Trump from targeting vessels allegedly linked to drug trafficking, aiming to avoid wider conflict.
Recently, the Trump administration has intensified its stance against Venezuela, conducting attacks on suspected drug-smuggling ships, deploying military resources in the Caribbean, and placing a $50 million bounty on President Nicolás Maduro.
The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is currently positioned in the Caribbean, equipped with 70 aircraft and multiple ships, as part of Operation Southern Spear aimed at combating drug trafficking.
“We think that the rising tensions and recent reports—like the one mentioning orders to eliminate everyone—suggest actions derived from Director Hegseth,” Kaine emphasized, expressing confidence that reintroducing motions would earn increased support.
Reports have surfaced regarding Hegseth’s instructions during combat, specifically a directive said to involve eliminating all individuals aboard a targeted vessel. The Secretary of the Army has publicly rejected these claims as exaggerated fabrications.
“As always, fake news is spreading inflammatory and derogatory reports for discrediting our brave warriors,” Hegseth commented on social media, defending recent operations in accordance with both U.S. and international law.
Following the troubling reports, critics like Kaine have raised alarms over potential war crimes, arguing that such directives may breach both U.S. military laws and international regulations.
In legislative circles, both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees are beginning to investigate the Trump administration’s actions related to Venezuela.
Senator Mark Kelly also hinted at the possibility of war crimes, expressing serious concern regarding the situation. “I really hope the reports are not accurate,” he told CNN, stressing the need to respect the professionalism of the Navy SEALs involved.
