Senate Democrats prepare to force vote on a War Powers resolution this week over drug boat strikes

Senate Democrats are expected to force a vote on a resolution under the War Powers Act this week that would prevent the United States military from engaging in conflict “against non-state organizations until formally authorized by Congress.”

The vote, which could take place as early as Wednesday, is in response to the Trump administration’s recent strikes on drug boats in the Caribbean they claim are primarily coming from Venezuela, according to Punchbowl News. 

The upcoming resolution, authored by Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Tim Kaine of Virginia, also comes after President Donald Trump notified Congress last week that it is engaged in “non-international armed conflict” with Latin American drug cartels deemed “designated terrorist organizations.”

Trump additionally directed the Department of War last week to act against the drug cartels as though in an “armed conflict” with such organizations.

The president has been criticized by members of Congress for striking the vessels without congressional approval.

“Drug cartels are despicable and must be dealt with by law enforcement,” Senate Armed Services Ranking Member Jack Reed, D-R.I., told the New York Times. “But now, by the president’s own words, the U.S. military is engaged in armed conflict with undefined enemies he has unilaterally labeled ‘unlawful combatants,’ and he has deployed thousands of troops, ships and aircraft against them. Yet he has refused to inform Congress or the public.”

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch, R-Idaho, last week supported Trump’s actions to stop the drug smuggling, stating the president had the authority to take the actions without further congressional approval under “his general powers under the Constitution as the commander in chief.”

“What could be a bigger defense of this country than keeping out this poison that’s killing thousands of Americans every year?” Risch told reporters, per Florida Politics. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.