BREAKING UPDATE: Senate advances resolution to limit US military action in Venezuela

On Thursday, the Senate voted 52-47 to advance a resolution aimed at reining in the military action the Trump administration can use in Venezuela after Nicholas Maduro was captured by the US. Enough Republicans joined with the Democrats in order to advance the bill. 

The vote, pushed mainly by Democrats, will bring the resolution out of committee for a floor vote. The joint resolution, which was introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) earlier in December, "directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities within or against Venezuela, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force" by Congress, according to a draft of the bill. 

The Republicans who took the side of the Democrats on the vote included Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Todd Young (R-IN)), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
The bill was co-sponsored by several Democrat Senators as well as GOP Senator Paul. The Senate will now have the ability to debate and ultimately vote on the bill. 

Kaine introduced the bill after the Pentagon had ordered a second strike on narco-terrorists whose ship had been hit by US strikes in the Caribbean. There have been two previous failed votes to bring the bill to the floor for debate.

Since the Trump administration conducted the operation to remove and arrest Maduro, he has been brought to the United States and indicted with charges related to narco-terrorism, drug and weapons trafficking, among others.

In reaction to the removal of Maduro, Venezuelans have been celebrating while left-wing protesters and some Democrat lawmakers have called for Trump's removal. This contrasts with the Biden administration, which previously increased the bounty on Maduro's head from $15 million (put in place under the Obama administration) to $25 million.