The Democratic measure was defeated mostly along party lines, along with another resolution that would have halted the military’s escalating campaign of boat attacks.
U.S. military aircraft in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday. For months, the U.S. military has been building up a large naval force there as President Trump continues to threaten to attack Venezuela.
After viewing video of a follow-up strike, Republicans largely had confidence in the Pentagon’s legal rationale while Democrats questioned its legality.
Representative Mike Rogers, Republican of Alabama, during a hearing on Capitol Hill in July. He leads the House Armed Services Committee, which oversees the military.
The defense secretary joined the secretary of state on Capitol Hill to deliver the first classified briefings to include all members of the House and Senate on the maritime attacks.