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By Anna Commander
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Republican Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana faced backlash on Wednesday evening for flipping on a previous vote and ultimately ending the war powers resolution aimed at curbing President Donald Trump's authority.
Newsweek reached out to Hawley's office via email for additional comment.
Why It Matters
The Senate vote on a Venezuela War Powers Resolution and subsequent reversal by two Republican senators has furthered debate on presidential authority in military interventions and Congress' constitutional role in declaring war.
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The controversy centers on Trump's approach toward Venezuela and broader executive power, exposing divides within the Republican Party and raising questions about potential checks on the presidency. The developments arrive as Trump intensifies rhetoric on foreign policy regarding the South American country, Mexico and Greenland.
What To Know
Earlier this month, the Senate initially advanced a resolution designed to curtail Trump's ability to initiate new military actions in Venezuela without congressional consent. The procedural vote passed 52-47, with five Republican senators—Rand Paul of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Hawley and Young—siding with Democrats.
On Wednesday, only Collins, Murkowski and Paul voted against terminating the resolution. Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote.
Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance reacted to Young and Hawley's reversal on X, saying, "The signs of possible life among Senate Republicans were apparently just a spasm. Nothing more."
The VoteVets X account also posted, "Pathetic collapse by @HawleyMO and @SenToddYoung. They talked tough on war powers last week but folded the second the pressure turned up. They’ve officially surrendered their Congressional authority to the White House. Rubber stamps, not Senators."
Former Florida State Senator Paula Dockery said on X, "Anyone else not surprised that Hawley caved?"
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What People Are Saying
Young, on X in part Wednesday: "After numerous conversations with senior national security officials, I have received assurances that there are no American troops in Venezuela. I’ve also received a commitment that if President Trump were to determine American forces are needed in major military operations in Venezuela, the Administration will come to Congress in advance to ask for an authorization of force."
Trump, on Truth Social Wednesday: "This morning I had a very good call with the Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez. 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. 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!"
Murkowski, on X in part Wednesday: "Nicolás Maduro was a brutal dictator who ruled through repression, corruption, and violence, and his removal from power makes the United States, the Western Hemisphere, and the Venezuelan people safer. The professionalism, discipline, execution, and courage of the U.S. servicemembers who carried out the near-flawless operation deserve great credit. But even when an action is justified and its outcome welcomed, the Constitution is clear that Congress is a co-equal branch of government with an essential role in decisions that place the United States on a path toward sustained military involvement. Excluding Congress from that process risks eroding public trust and blurring strategic objectives."
What Happens Next
The defeat of the war powers resolution means Trump retains authority over U.S. operations in Venezuela and signals the White House’s enduring influence over Republican senators. The political impact on GOP defectors—including Collins, who faces a competitive reelection—remains to be seen.
Update 1/14/26, 8:53 p.m. ET: This article is updated with additional information.
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