SC Alaska News

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) has voted in favor of advancing Senate Joint Resolution 90, which seeks to end the escalation of U.S. operations against Venezuela unless Congress gives explicit approval.

In a statement released after her vote, Murkowski said: “Tonight, I voted to proceed to debate on a resolution that would terminate the escalation of operations—covert, military, economic, or otherwise—against Venezuela without explicit approval from Congress."

She noted she had received multiple briefings and reviewed classified documents regarding the administration’s justification for these actions. “I have been briefed multiple times and reviewed classified documents that provide insight into the administration’s factual justification for these actions. Even with this additional context, I do not believe their case has met the standard of clarity and rigor that Congress needs to fully evaluate the legality and scope of these operations,” Murkowski stated.

Murkowski added that recent reports detail U.S. intelligence and military activity near Venezuela and expressed concern about regional stability. She said: “This resolution follows recent reports of U.S. intelligence and military operations in and around Venezuela, which have the potential to disrupt international norms and escalate tensions in the region. After months of lethal strikes in international waters, bringing this resolution to the Senate floor would have allowed Congress to determine whether these actions warrant specific congressional authorization under Article I of the Constitution.”

The Senate debate over war powers comes amid ongoing discussions about congressional oversight over military engagements abroad.