Secretary of State Marco Rubio would not commit Wednesday to seeking congressional authorization if the Trump administration takes further military action in Venezuela.
In his opening statement at a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Rubio left open the possibility that the administration could use military force if Venezuela’s interim president does not cooperate with the United States.
Pressed later by Sen. Christopher S. Murphy, D-Conn., if the administration would come to Congress before military action to compel cooperation from the Venezuelan government, Rubio did not directly answer, but said the 1973 War Powers Resolution applies to “sustained” military actions. He also suggested the administration would act unilaterally to address any “imminent” threats.
