Republicans try to scuttle Venezuela war powers vote after Trump fury

Senate Republican leaders are eyeing a procedural maneuver on the Venezuela war powers resolution that could spare President Trump an embarrassing defeat.Why it matters: Trump went ballistic after five Republicans voted with Democrats to move forward with the resolution last week. Now GOP leaders are pressuring the defectors and considering blocking the bill from coming to the floor.All eyes are on Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), both of whom have said they've received calls from Trump — and have declined to say how they plan to cast their final votes.Zoom in: Republicans discussed the resolution in their closed-door lunch on Tuesday.Senate GOP Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and others argued that the idea of the war powers resolution is moot given there are no U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela.Barrasso suggested raising a point of order to table the vote on Wednesday, telling Axios the measure does not qualify for expedited floor consideration. It could be a more palatable option for the GOP detractors than flipping their vote.Democrats made a similar move in 2024 to avoid a vote on a resolution brought by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) related to the humanitarian pier in Gaza.What they're saying: "Privileged motion has to do with current war activities, and since there aren't any, I don't think that this ought to be able to come to the floor," Barrasso told Axios on Tuesday after the lunch."There are no boots on the ground," Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said at a Tuesday press conference. "I think it's very fair for Republicans to question why we ought to be having this discussion right now, particularly at a time when we're trying to do appropriations bills,' he added.