WASHINGTON — Republican senators voted down Democratic-sponsored legislation Tuesday that would have forced President Donald Trump to obtain congressional authorization before continuing America’s energy embargo against Cuba.
The war powers resolution vote demonstrated continued GOP support for Trump’s unilateral approach to international conflicts across multiple regions, including Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba — a nearby Caribbean nation that has remained a long-standing U.S. opponent.
Democratic lawmakers have repeatedly attempted to pass measures limiting the president’s military authority in these conflicts, though all previous efforts have failed. Tuesday marked the first Cuba-focused vote, which would have mandated congressional approval before any military strikes against the island.
GOP senators successfully dismissed the measure by claiming it was procedurally improper since America isn’t directly fighting Cuba. The dismissal motion passed 51-47, with Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman as the sole Democratic supporter, while Maine’s Susan Collins and Kentucky’s Rand Paul were the only Republicans opposing dismissal.
Cuba currently faces severe water and electricity shortages as U.S. sanctions continue and oil deliveries from Venezuela remain blocked. The Trump administration maintains pressure on Cuban leaders to stop political oppression, free political detainees, and reform the struggling economy.
Virginia Democrat Tim Kaine, who sponsored the resolution, described the embargo as creating “humanitarian crises across Cuba,” disrupting healthcare services, leaving millions without potable water, and driving up food costs.
“My argument is that under the terms of the resolution we are already engaged in hostilities with Cuba because we are using American force, primarily the Coast Guard, but other assets as well, to engage in a very devastating economic blockade of the nation,” Kaine said.
During a recent Turning Points USA gathering, Trump promised “a new dawn for Cuba” and indicated the island would receive his focus following the Iran conflict.
Democratic senators emphasized the resolution’s importance in preventing potential military action against Cuba.
“The United States and Cuba need to find a way to peacefully coexist,” said Vermont Democrat Peter Welch.
Democrats have consistently used the 1973 War Powers Act to challenge Trump’s military decisions, legislation originally designed to strengthen congressional authority over war declarations.
Florida Republican Rick Scott criticized Democrats for overlooking Cuban leadership’s human rights violations.
“President Trump is doing everything he can to bring back freedom and democracy all across Latin America, and we should do everything we can to support him,” Scott said.
