By SUZANNE DOWNING
Republican Senator Jim Risch scored a tactical victory Wednesday evening, killing a Senate effort to curb President Donald Trump’s military authority in Venezuela after two Republican defectors reversed their positions under White House pressure — leaving Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Democrats on the losing end.
In a dramatic late-night session, Senate Republicans successfully used a procedural point of order to dismiss consideration of the War Powers Resolution aimed at limiting the president’s ability to take further military action in Venezuela without congressional authorization. The motion passed 51–50 when Vice President J.D. Vance broke a tie, stalling the measure before a final vote could be held. Murkowski’s vote was the 50th.
The resolution, Senate Joint Resolution 98, had been a flashpoint on Capitol Hill since a rare bipartisan floor vote last Thursday advanced the measure 52–47, with five GOP senators, Murkowski included, joining Democrats. That advance was an attempt at a rebuke of the Trump administration’s handling of the Venezuelan crisis, including the recent US operation that resulted in the capture of former Venezuelan President and narco terrorist Nicolás Maduro.
But the rebel momentum evaporated Wednesday when Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana, two of the original GOP rebels, flipped their votes after outreach from the White House and assurances from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that no US troops are currently engaged in hostilities in Venezuela, and that Congress would be consulted before any future military deployment.
Hawley had been one of the five GOP senators who originally voted to advance the resolution last week, helping it pass in a vote that drew public condemnation from President Trump.
Murkowski remained steadfast among the three remaining Republicans who continued to support debate on the War Powers measure and opposed the procedural move to bury it.
In a statement issued after the vote, Murkowski framed her position as a defense of constitutional checks and balances:
“This evening, I… voted in favor of the War Powers Resolution for Venezuela… Congress is a co-equal branch… and decisions that place the United States on a path toward sustained military involvement require appropriate debate and oversight.”
Murkowski emphasized that while she supports the outcomes of recent operations and the courage of US servicemembers, the Constitution grants Congress a central role in authorizing sustained military involvement — even if hostilities are not currently active.
Trump had publicly lambasted the five GOP senators who initially backed the resolution, declaring they “should never be elected to office again.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota acknowledged earlier on Wednesday that Republican leaders were uncertain whether they could block the resolution. Murkowski is never a sure vote for Republicans.
The resolution’s chances of constraining the president’s war powers in Venezuela have dimmed considerably on Wednesday. Without momentum in the upper chamber and with a likely presidential veto looming, the effort faces steep odds even if revived later.
16 thoughts on “Murkowski on losing end of war powers vote today as JD Vance breaks tie”
Lisa sleeps around. Full stop.
Good for Murkowski. We need more moderate politicians.
If they want to be ” moderates” they should run as such, instead of sailing under false colors. even better. Declare the party whose platform you support. Then go be that. Stop the fraud!!
Succinct and 100% correct….We need fewer moderate politicians! We don’t need traitors and liars! Leftist moderation whether by Lisa Murkowski or Flimsy Graham type politicians always empowers the left, always!
What, Lindsay graham is a Leftist?
We all know where you stand Evan. Politically speaking, you’re a typical leftist. Many leftists are well intentioned and good loving people. I have one relative who is a leftist, only one thank God. It’s typical for leftists to be, politically speaking, intellectually lazy, and thus drink the neapolitan flavored legacy media’s propaganda style koolaid. Flimsy Graham often talks a good talk, but he’s the beta-male version of any typical RINO! His ACTIONS rarely match his words. He’s no better than leftist Lisa!
I noticed that you didn’t defend Lisa, just Flimsy. Hmmmmm…?
Do you consider Mamdani to be moderate?
Perhaps you and Murkowski should re-read the constitution and the R platform. If your values reflect the D side, then stick with it. If your values reflect the R side, then stick with it. Murkowski has stated she doesn’t believe in one side or the other, just what she believes is her side. That is not an elected representative ‘s duty. They are claiming one thing but doing another. Not honest. Not constitutional. Not a R platform defender. Shame on M.
Waynett. Ever hear of compromise?
The only war Lisa ever fought was the one for daddy’s affections. And she won. We both know that Lisa is a verifiable idiot and that dad made a huge mistake by appointing her. Our last name is about as popular as Ponzi, Capone, or Kohberger. We’re outa here.
The tumult we see in America results from moderate thinking. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything! Murkowski type politicians who work across the isle in the name of compromise or to appear to be moderate always facilitate greater power for the LEFT.
Obviously you are happy with that because you are on the LEFT just like Lisa. If Lisa was not voting contrary to her party’s goals, or if she’d officially claim to represent the democrat party, I’d have no issue with her. She consistently votes opposite to her (supposed) party. That is not being moderate, it is being leftist, deceitful and simply put, democrat. I don’t expect you’ll understand this, but I’m taking a one in a billion shot.
The slaughter of innocent Renee Good by Jack booted thug and ICE agent murderer Jonathan Ross was not an act of moderation. In fact Trump’s (aka Steven Miller) invasion of Minneapolis is an extreme act of domestic terrorism. Maybe you’re just bored Greg and get perked up by the tumult.
Dr. G (clinical and forensic psychologist) has a great 15 minute video on YouTube about this tragic event. I agree with every point he makes. His accurate analysis is very much worth 15 minutes of your investigative attention.
I’ve watched several vloger videos about this, all of which have assumptions and errors of interpretation, except this one by Dr. G.
This unfortunate and disturbing situation would not have happened if this gal Renee and her rude gal friend Rebecca hadn’t been impeding lawful ICE operations. There’s always links in a chain leading to a conclusion of accidents or incidents. Watch it…!
In direct response to Senator Murkowski’s comment in the article:
“This evening, I… voted in favor of the War Powers Resolution for Venezuela… Congress is a coequal branch… and decisions that place the United States on a path toward sustained military involvement require appropriate debate and oversight.”
Senator Murkowski eloquently supports the bottleneck of decision-making, and in this instance, she should put her ‘readers’ back on and brush up on the Constitution.
Congress is not the Commander in Chief,
The President of the United States serves as Commander in Chief of the armed forces, exercising supreme command and authority over military operations and decisions.
Constitutional Basis
The role of the President as Commander in Chief is established in Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution, which states: “The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States.” This clause ensures civilian control over the military, a principle that is fundamental to American democracy.
The President’s ability to take military action without Congressional approval is found in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. This section designates the President as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. This means the President can lead military operations and respond to emergencies without needing prior consent from Congress. The Wars Act of 1972 does say that he does need to inform Congress after 60 days if armed conflict- although that’s has been previously disputed.
The Constitution is clear. The President has the power. This President loves America. Do the members of Congress who voted for M’s Resolution? Who are they for?
A loser is always on the losing end! Look up Murkowski on Dictionary dot com, or check out Webster’s definition, they both define Murkowski as ‘Stupidass Loser RINO’!!!……Again, thanks a bunch Frank, dumbass!