The Senate deadlocked 50-50 on whether the point of order—raised by Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho)—was well taken regarding the privileged status of S.J.Res. 98 under the War Powers Resolution. Vance voted Yea, making the final tally 51-50 and removing the measure from expedited floor consideration, preserving President Trump’s authority for ongoing or future military operations in Venezuela without needing congressional approval.
The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and introduced on December 3, 2025, sought to direct the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless Congress enacted a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force. Key findings in the bill reaffirmed Congress’s sole constitutional power to declare war under Article I, Section 8, and classified current U.S. actions as introducing forces into hostilities under Section 4(a) of the War Powers Resolution (50 U.S.C. 1543(a)). It included a rule of construction clarifying that nothing prevents the U.S. from defending itself against an armed attack or imminent threat.
The measure had advanced earlier on January 8, 2026, when the Senate voted 52-47 to discharge it from the Foreign Relations Committee and placed it on the Legislative Calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 298). No further actions appear on the official record after that date.
In the January 14 vote at 5:51 PM, all Democrats and Independents voted Nay against sustaining the point of order, joined by three Republicans: Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Rand Paul (R-Ky.). The remaining Republicans voted Yea, aligning with the administration’s position to block the privileged procedure.
The procedural maneuver prevented the Senate from debating or voting on the merits of requiring congressional authorization for military involvement in Venezuela, following recent U.S. operations including strikes and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
