The US House of Representatives defeated Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern's bipartisan war powers resolution to block unauthorized US military action against Venezuela by a 211-213 vote between 12:15 AM and 12:45 AM UTC on December 18, 2025, according to X user Erik Sperling. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Congress to reassure Republicans that President Donald Trump does not plan to launch a war, as Sperling reported. Rep. McGovern stated on X that he is furious nearly every House Republican and one Democrat rejected the resolution, calling President Trump's actions illegal and accusing lawmakers of surrendering Congress' war responsibilities. McGovern warned of a potential costly quagmire benefiting Big Oil interests. At least 14 US Navy ships, excluding submarines, are operating in the US Southern Command area of responsibility, according to a snapshot from the @iejmedia database shared by X user Ian Ellis-Jones in the reporting window. This House vote follows Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker's statement yesterday of no briefings on Venezuela military action and ongoing US-Venezuela tensions, including President Trump's naval blockade order on December 16 and recent US aircraft movements, as previously reported.
