Senate Republicans on Tuesday rejected a Democratic-backed resolution that would have required President Donald Trump to seek congressional approval before escalating U.S. actions against Cuba. The procedural vote passed 51-47, effectively blocking the measure from advancing.
The resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, aimed to limit the president’s authority under the War Powers Act by requiring approval from Congress before any military action against the island nation. Democrats argued that current U.S. actions, including enforcement tied to sanctions and disruptions to fuel shipments, amounted to hostilities, Kaine said, Military.com reported.
Republicans moved to block the resolution, arguing it was out of order because the United States is not engaged in active military conflict with Cuba. Sen. Rick Scott said a war powers vote was unnecessary because no U.S. troops have been deployed, Scott said.
The vote largely followed party lines, though Sen. John Fetterman joined Republicans in voting to dismiss the measure. Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Rand Paul sided with Democrats, opposing the motion, according to the vote tally.
Democrats said the resolution was necessary to prevent the president from launching military action without congressional oversight. They also pointed to previous efforts to limit Trump’s authority in conflicts involving Iran and Venezuela, which have similarly failed, lawmakers said.
Speaking Friday in Phoenix, Arizona, at an event organized by Turning Point USA, Trump said change in Cuba could come soon. He linked the issue to recent operations involving Iran and suggested similar pressure could be applied to the island nation, Trump said.
“And very soon, this great strength will also bring about a day 70 years in waiting. It’s called A New Dawn for Cuba,” Trump said. “We’re going to help them out with Cuba,” Trump said.
Trump also referenced Cuban American communities while discussing the issue. He said many had experienced persecution under Cuba’s government and indicated that his administration was monitoring developments closely, Trump said.
“We have a lot of great Cuban Americans,” Trump said. “You go to Miami, we have people, Cuban Americans, people that were brutally treated, whose families were killed, brutalized, and now watch,” Trump said.
In recent days, Trump has described Cuba as a nation “in free fall.” He has also said that after addressing ongoing conflicts involving Iran, his administration would turn its attention to Cuba, Trump said.
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