Senate blocks Cuba war powers resolution 51-47, leaving Trump's blockade intact

The Senate votes 51-47 to table a War Powers Resolution that would have required President Trump to end unauthorized military activities related to Cuba within 30 days. The resolution, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA), is one of several War Powers challenges Democrats have brought as Trump has pursued aggressive military postures toward Cuba, Venezuela, and Iran without explicit congressional authorization. Cuba has been subject to a near-complete naval blockade under a Trump executive order reinstating and expanding measures from his first term. The Trump administration argues the actions fall within the president''s commander-in-chief authority and do not rise to the level of "hostilities" requiring congressional approval under the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Democrats argue the blockade constitutes an act of war requiring congressional sanction. All 47 Democrats vote in favor of the resolution. Four Republicans join them but are one vote short of the 51 needed to pass. The vote is the fifth time the Senate has blocked a War Powers challenge under Trump''s second term. A similar resolution over Iran failed 47-52 in the same week.