Kaine tells Congress to 'get its a-- off the couch,' reclaim war powers
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., wants Congress to take a more active role as a check on the Trump administration's use of military force following the surprise weekend operation in Venezuela,...
By Fox News · Fox News
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., wants Congress to take a more active role as a check on the Trump administration's use of military force following the surprise weekend operation in Venezuela, and he plans to force a vote on legislation that would halt further military action in the country without lawmakers' approval. Kaine joined a chorus of congressional Democrats who were frustrated at President Donald Trump's decision to strike Venezuela’s capital of Caracas, and subsequent capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife without oversight or approval from Congress. Congressional Democrats have long been frustrated at Congress’ diminished role in decision-making since Trump took office last year, particularly over continued strikes in the Caribbean ahead of Operation Absolute Resolve on Saturday. RUBIO DEFENDS VENEZUELA OPERATION AFTER NBC QUESTIONS LACK OF CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR MADURO CAPTURE Kaine argued on a call with reporters that Congress has the constitutional authority to weigh in on military action and was frustrated that time and again throughout Trump’s second term that the check and balance was being bowled over. "It's time for Congress to get its a-- off the couch and do what the Constitution mandates that we do — the Constitution we take an oath to," Kaine said over the weekend. "We have to put this before the American people, not just in private settings, but in public hearings by the key oversight committees, intelligence, armed services, foreign relations in both houses, and explore whether the United States should enter into yet another war with unforeseen consequences." CONGRESS ROLLS OUT $174B SPENDING BILL AS JAN. 30 SHUTDOWN FEARS GROW Kaine again plans to bring a war powers resolution for a vote in the Senate , which is expected to come to the floor this week. It’s not the first time he has tried to reassert Congress’ authority when it comes to the administration's use of military action. Kaine earlier this year forced a vote on a…