Senate pulls the war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela out of committee
On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 98
JAN 8, 2026 · 10:59 AM ET
Party-line vote, except 5 Republicans who crossed. 2 votes to spare over the 50 needed.
What the Senate was voting on
The Senate voted on whether to discharge S.J.Res. 98 from committee, bringing it to the floor. The resolution would direct the President to end U.S. hostilities within or against Venezuela unless Congress authorizes them, while preserving self-defense against an armed attack or imminent threat. The motion passed by 2 votes, clearing the 50-vote threshold.
Bring S.J.Res. 98 out of committee and onto the Senate floor.
Keep S.J.Res. 98 in committee.
Directs the President to end U.S. hostilities within or against Venezuela unless Congress authorizes them, while preserving self-defense against an armed attack or imminent threat.
Reported by committee on Jan. 8, 2026. Waiting for a Senate floor vote, 314 days after it was introduced.
- VP
- On a 50–50 tie the Vice President can cast the deciding vote.
50 is a majority of the 99 senators voting yes or no. Members voting “present” or absent don’t count.
- VP
- On a 50–50 tie the Vice President can cast the deciding vote.
Party line, with 5 Republicans crossing5 Republicans crossed. It passed.
Every vote on S.J.Res. 98, in both chambersEvery vote on S.J.Res. 98
- JAN 8Discharged from committeeDISCHARGED
- JAN 8#5THIS VOTEMotion to dischargeAGREED TO52–472 votes to spare over the 50 needed.
- JAN 14#9Point of order on the war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities within or against VenezuelaAGREED TO50–50
Coverage of this vote and its bill14 stories from 13 outlets
- Atlanta Black StarLEFT'He's Paranoid': Trump Seethes Over a GOP Betrayal, But a Public Tantrum Wasn't Enough — and What He Did in Private Shows Just How Vindictive He Gets When He's Crossed
- MinnPostCENTERD.C. Memo: ICE shooting roils D.C. and prompts Craig-Emmer spat
- The IndependentRepublicans break ranks to halt future Trump attacks on Venezuela
- The Daily CallerRIGHTFive Republicans Break Ranks With Trump On Venezuela
- The Daily CallerRIGHTFive Republicans Break Ranks With Trump On Venezuela
- NBC NewsCENTERSenate advances measure to restrict Trump's power to use military force in Venezuela
- AxiosCENTERSenate votes to curb military action in Venezuela in rare Trump rebuke - Axios
- DailyfreemanHow they voted: Ryan, Riley on energy efficiency and manufactured homes
Lean describes the outlets, not the vote.
