Senate Blocks War‑Powers Resolution Aimed at Preventing U.S. Military Action Against Cuba

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:02:00 +0200

The U.S. Senate voted 51‑48, largely along party lines, to shelve a Democratic‑led war‑powers resolution that would have blocked President Donald Trump from launching military action against Cuba without explicit congressional authorization. The resolution, introduced by Senators Tim Kaine, Adam Schiff, and Ruben Gallego, invoked the War Powers Resolution statute to require that any hostilities with Cuba be approved by Congress. Senate Republicans argued that the measure was out of order because the United States is not currently engaged in open hostilities with the island nation, and they used a procedural point of order to close debate and prevent a full vote on the underlying bill. The outcome underscores persistent tensions between the legislative and executive branches over presidential war‑making authority, especially as the Trump administration has intensified economic and military pressure on Cuba in the wake of an energy crisis and diplomatic standoff. Democratic lawmakers hav