WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked a bipartisan war powers resolution to end U.S. military involvement within or against Venezuela that has not been explicitly authorized by Congress:
“The Senate Republican majority just walked away from their constitutional duty and chose to rubberstamp Trump’s ‘act now, plan later’ military intervention in Venezuela. They are blindly endorsing the actions of a president who cannot articulate a clear mission or long-term strategy in the region, putting American troops in harm’s way and gambling with billions of taxpayer dollars.
“Trump campaigned on ending endless wars, not starting new ones. He lied to Congress and the American people, cozying up to Big Oil while hiding behind claims of combating drug trafficking just after pardoning another head of state found guilty of helping smuggle 400 tons of cocaine into our country.
“If Senate Republicans were truly ‘America First,’ they would stand up for the Constitution they swore to defend and reclaim Congress’ authority instead of once again surrendering it to an out-of-control president.”
To view the statement online, click here.