A handful of Republicans joined Democrats to allow the measure to move forward, reflecting concerns in both parties about the administration’s strategy.
“Make no mistake: Bombing another nation’s capital and removing their president is an act of war, plain and simple,” Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, said before the vote.
The Republican defectors paved the way for a debate that could expose bipartisan concern about President Trump’s actions in Venezuela. Mr. Trump called for them to lose their seats.
Republicans praised what they characterized as a narrow and well-executed plan, while Democrats expressed alarm, warning that the mission was vaguely defined.
Republicans have cheered the raid that ousted Nicolás Maduro but toiled to square their longstanding views with President Trump’s unclear and rapidly evolving strategy.
The Trump administration said it had an agreement with Venezuela’s government, but the country’s state-owned oil company said negotiations were underway.
An oil refinery in Punto Fijo, Venezuela. President Trump said late Tuesday that Venezuela would soon send 30 million to 50 million barrels of oil to the United States.
Connexion
