Republicans narrowly reject efforts to handcuff Trump's war powers in Venezuela

By Fox News · Fox News

A majority of House Republicans banded together on Thursday to defeat a bipartisan war powers resolution that could have restricted President Donald Trump from taking future military action in Venezuela. The House GOP managed to defeat the measure with its razor-thin majority in a victory for Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La., and the White House. The resolution failed in a 215-215 vote, falling short of securing a majority needed to succeed. Only two Republicans, Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., voted in favor of the package. RAND PAUL BREAKS WITH TRUMP ON VENEZUELA, CALLS ACTION ‘WAR’ AS SENATE PREPARES CONSTITUTIONAL SHOWDOWN Speaker Johnson held the vote for over 20 minutes, buying Republicans to vote against the resolution. Eventually one Republican latecomer, Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Tx., arrived at the chamber, breaking the stalemate and dooming the measure. "Close the vote!" Rep. Pat Ryan, D-N.Y., yelled as Republicans struggled to solidify their opposition. "This is serious s---!" The bill was sponsored by Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. The resolution directs Trump to remove troops deployed to Venezuela and mirrors a similar effort in the Senate aimed at restricting the administration from taking future military action in the country. Administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio , say there are currently no U.S. armed forces in Venezuela, although Trump has ordered a naval blockade off the country’s coast. The White House sharply rebuked the legislation when asked by Fox News Digital on Thursday. "It’s a shame that these members of Congress want to usurp the authority of the commander in chief to take vital actions to strengthen our national security and stop drugs and criminals from entering our homeland," White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said. Ahead of Thursday’s vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said he expected Republicans would stick together to defeat the resolution. LOOMING WAR P…