(NEXSTAR) — The Senate rejected a bill this week to rein in the president’s power to take military action against Venezuela. It comes as the U.S. carried out its 17th deadly strike on an alleged drug boat this week.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the attack Thursday killed three people trafficking narcotics in the Caribbean.
“What President Trump is doing is not only lawful but necessary. We have a drug caliphate in our backyard,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, who claimed the attacks are intended to combat the flow of drugs into the US. He called for further action against Venezuela.
“We got to do more than blow up the boat. We got to go to the problem on the land,” Graham said.
Graham’s comments came as the Senate debated a resolution Thursday that would have required congressional approval for any direct strikes on Venezuela, as the U.S. continues its buildup of naval forces in the region.
“Currently, about 10% of the United States Navy is arrayed around Venezuela,” Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, said.
Kaine says the increased pace of boat strikes and the military buildup suggest “…that we are on the verge of something that should not happen without a debate and vote in Congress.”
Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul, meanwhile, supported the resolution.
“The executive branch does not have the authority to kill at will anyone, anywhere, at any time, for any reason,” Paul said. He says he’s concerned about the U.S. getting dragged into a war, and says Congress should have a say before that happens.
Paul added: “The President simply does not have the authority to unilaterally launch wars.”
The legislation narrowly failed Thursday. Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski joined Paul as the only two Republicans to vote for it.
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