Durbin Statement On Republicans’ Vote Against Venezuela War Powers Resolution
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the Senate failed to pass the bipartisan war powers resolution, which would block the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. The resolution previously advanced in the Senate by a vote of 52-47.
“The U.S. Constitution explicitly says that the power to declare war resides with Congress. The Trump Administration is potentially engaging us in a long-term conflict and has yet to engage the American people in the discussion or plan.
“Until we have clarity, we cannot allow this conflict to escalate at the expense of American lives. Unfortunately, the majority of my Senate Republican colleagues don’t agree or will bend to the will of the President.”
Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution states that the power to declare war is an explicit power of Congress and Congress overwhelmingly reaffirmed this constitutional provision when it passed the War Powers Act in 1973 over the veto of President Nixon.
In April 2018, Durbin traveled to Venezuela, where he met with then-National Assembly Member Juan Guaidó as well as President Nicolás Maduro, warning him that pursuing a sham election the following month would further isolate his autocratic regime. In July 2024, Durbin condemned Nicolás Maduro for falsely claiming that the nation’s election was called in his favor, despite meticulously documented election results by observers demonstrating overwhelming support for opposition candidate Edmundo González. He reiterated these comments in an additional speech on the Senate floor in September 2024.
In September 2024, Durbin met with five Latin American democracies’ ambassadors to discuss the electoral crisis in Venezuela. In January 2025, Durbin reintroduced a bill terminating all U.S. petroleum cooperation and petroleum-related trade with Venezuela until the legitimate results of the recent Venezuelan election are respected. And in May 2025, Durbin met virtually with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado.
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