Politics
NEW: GOP Senator Flips Key Vote After Sharp Rebuke From Trump
Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) flipped his vote on a war powers resolution aimed at restricting President Donald Trump’s military actions against Venezuela on Wednesday.
The measure, which was introduced by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), sought to require congressional approval for any U.S. hostilities within or against Venezuela, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific military force authorization. The resolution was issued just days after Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in a daring pre-dawn raid.
Last week, the Senate voted 52-47 to advance the resolution for debate. Five Republicans — including Hawley — voted with all Democrats in favor of advancing the motion.
Hawley’s vote was surprising, as he almost always votes in line with the Trump agenda, while some of the other Republican detractors, including Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and Collins (R-ME) are known to vote with Democrats at times.
“With regard to Venezuela, my read of the Constitution is that if the President feels the need to put boots on the ground there in the future, Congress would need to vote on it,” the senator wrote in an X post. “That’s why I voted yes on this morning’s Senate resolution.”
He further framed his position as a commitment to ensuring legislative involvement in significant military commitments by citing the War Powers Act.
With regard to Venezuela, my read of the Constitution is that if the President feels the need to put boots on the ground there in the future, Congress would need to vote on it. That’s why I voted yes on this morning’s Senate resolution.
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) January 8, 2026
President Trump issued a sharp response to the vote in a Truth Social post, stating that Republican naysayers should be voted out of office.
“Republicans should be ashamed of the Senators that just voted with Democrats in attempting to take away our Powers to fight and defend the United States of America. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again,” Trump wrote.
This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief.” Trump further described the War Powers Act as “unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution,” and claimed it undermined presidential authority as determined by previous administrations and Departments of Justice.
In addition, Trump also called Hawley to voice his displeasure, according to a report from Fox News.
On Wednesday, Hawley announced that he would be flipping his vote during the Senate’s consideration of a point of order against the resolution. Along with Senator Young, he voted to support the point of order, effectively helping to defeat the measure.
The Senate ultimately voted 53-47 to dismiss the resolution, with Republicans largely uniting to block it.
While speaking with Fox News host Will Cain, Hawley explained that he met with President Trump, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to discuss the issue. During the meeting, he received assurances that U.S. ground troops will not be used in Venezuela in any capacity. “And that’s good enough for me,” the senator said.
The reversal comes just hours after President Trump held a discussion with Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in following Maduro’s capture. In a Truth Social post, Trump described the conversation as productive and gave an optimistic outlook on the future of U.S.-Venezuela relations.
We are making tremendous progress, as we help Venezuela stabilize and recover. Many topics were discussed, including Oil, Minerals, Trade and, of course, National Security,” Trump said of the discussion.
“This partnership between the United States of America and Venezuela will be a spectacular one FOR ALL. Venezuela will soon be great and prosperous again, perhaps more so than ever before!”
