(INDIANAPOLIS) - U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, joined a small group of Republicans in advancing a bipartisan effort to block President Donald Trump from using U.S. military force in Venezuela without congressional approval.
The measure, brought forward under the War Powers Act, would require Congress to authorize any further military action and could derail administration plans tied to Venezuela's oil exports. The resolution was sponsored by Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky and cleared committee with support from Young and GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Josh Hawley of Missouri.
The Senate is expected to take up the resolution early next week, with debate likely to stretch through the week. Even if it passes, the measure would still face an uphill battle in the House, where a similar proposal narrowly failed last month, and an expected veto from Trump.
Young said his vote aligns with opposition to prolonged foreign conflicts and reflects concerns about bypassing Congress's constitutional role in authorizing military action. While supporting efforts to hold Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro accountable, Young argued that committing U.S. troops without congressional approval goes too far.
Trump criticized the five Republican senators on Truth Social, urging voters to oppose them in future elections.
Indiana's other U.S. senator, Jim Banks, voted against the resolution, saying it would limit the president's ability to act and defending Trump's actions toward Venezuela as necessary for U.S. security.