House Democrats have moved to force votes on two war powers resolutions amid escalating tensions with Venezuela, according to congressional reports. The first measure would require U.S. armed forces to withdraw from hostilities with any presidentially designated terrorist organization in the Western Hemisphere unless Congress authorizes military action. The second resolution would compel removal of U.S. forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela without explicit congressional authorization.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) introduced the first measure, while Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) authored the second. During House floor debate, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) stated: “When war-making power devolves to one person, liberty dissolves. Congress needs to vote before the President attempts regime change.” Massie added: “This is about oil and regime change. And when it comes to regime change, we’ve already been down this road with Venezuela with nothing to show for it.”

McGovern’s resolution has three GOP co-sponsors—Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Thomas Massie (R-KY), and Don Bacon (R-NE). Bacon affirmed he would support Meeks’ measure. Under the 1973 War Powers Resolution, presidential consultation with Congress is required before deploying forces into hostilities unless war is declared or authorized by Congress. However, the White House has argued the law does not apply to recent operations, claiming they do not place service members in harm’s way.

Rep. Meeks criticized the administration during Tuesday’s briefing: “It doesn’t seem to be just about narcotics trafficking. If this is about regime change, it seems to me that the administration should say that’s what it is, and should come to Congress to ask for that authorization.” He further stated: “Trump himself saying it. It’s President Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who said Trump wants to, and I quote, ‘keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.’”

The resolutions follow Trump’s announcement of a “total and complete blockade” targeting Venezuelan oil tankers. Meeks noted the administration has not sought congressional approval for strikes that killed survivors following an initial September 2 operation. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) acknowledged Maduro as a “cancer on that continent” but stated he did not know if the administration had publicly declared regime change goals.

The House and Senate Armed Services Committee received detailed briefings from Navy Adm. Frank Bradley, who ordered the second strike. Meeks concluded: “It’s not about drugs—it’s about oil. That’s not just me saying that.” The anticipated votes mark the first congressional action on Trump’s military campaign in Central and South America, with Republicans previously opposing similar measures.