Senate Republicans on Tuesday blocked a Democratic attempt to force a vote restricting President Trump's military authority against Cuba, after Trump repeatedly warned the communist island is "next" following U.S. operations in Venezuela and Iran.
The procedural vote failed along party lines, with GOP senators arguing the measure was premature. "The issue is moot," said Senator Rick Scott of Florida, claiming the U.S. isn't currently engaged in hostilities with Cuba.
Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia introduced the resolution in March, part of his broader effort to rein in Trump's unilateral military actions. "I've never heard the suggestion that Cuba poses an imminent security threat to the United States," Kaine said on the Senate floor ahead of the vote.
Trump has escalated his rhetoric against Cuba since U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. The president said he would have "the honor of taking Cuba" and that "Cuba's going to be next." Earlier this month, Trump told reporters military action against Cuba remains "on the table," saying "We may stop by Cuba after we're finished with this," referring to ongoing operations in Iran.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been more direct about regime change goals. Testifying to Congress in January, Rubio said "we would love to see the regime there change" and called it of "great benefit" to the U.S. The administration maintains it prefers diplomatic solutions but hasn't ruled out military force.
Kaine argued the U.S. is already engaged in hostile actions through Trump's oil blockade of Cuba, which has devastated civilians on the island. "The U.S. is using force to block energy from going to Cuba," he said, adding America would consider such a blockade an act of war if roles were reversed.
The failed vote mirrors more than half a dozen similar attempts by Democrats to restrict Trump's military authority in Venezuela and Iran, all blocked by Republicans defending presidential war powers. Cuban leadership has warned the country is prepared to fight any U.S. aggression.
Despite rising tensions, diplomatic channels remain open. A State Department delegation traveled to Cuba earlier this month, marking the first U.S. government plane to land there since President Obama's 2016 visit. A State Department official told CBS that Trump remains open to diplomacy but "will not let the island collapse into a major national security threat if Cuba's leaders are unwilling or unable to act."
The vote sets up another constitutional clash over war powers as Trump expands military operations across multiple theaters without explicit congressional authorization.
