The U.S. removal of Nicolás Maduro has sparked sharp debate in Washington,
less over Venezuela than over presidential power.
Lawmakers questioned how such a major action occurred without Congress,
reviving concerns about the balance between Congress and the White House.
Sen. Tim Kaine announced plans to force a Senate vote on a “war powers resolution”
to block further action without approval. He called the moment a “constitutional test,”
warning against normalizing executive-led warfare and a return to Latin American interventionism.
Kaine argues presidents have expanded “commander-in-chief” authority for decades while Congress has struggled to respond.
Supporters say deliberation is a constitutional safeguard; critics warn it could slow responses to threats.
As the vote nears, the issue is whether Congress will reassert its role—or continue yielding power to an ever-stronger executive.
