In a close round, the Senate voted 51-50 to block a resolution that would have prevented President Donald Trump from using military force in Venezuela without congressional approval after Trump won over two Republican votes in recent days.

Senators Josh Hawley of Missouri and Todd Young of Indiana voted last week to move forward with the resolution requiring Trump to seek prior congressional approval to attack Venezuela.

But after Trump attacked and pressured them, they reversed their positions and voted with the majority of Senate Republicans to eliminate the “privilege” under the resolution, virtually sinking it in the chamber.

The vote was 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote to overturn the war powers resolution.

Thus, for analysts, the outcome of the high-profile vote demonstrated how Trump still has a firm grip on much of the Republican conference, although the close vote count also showed growing concern on Capitol Hill about the president's aggressive foreign policy ambitions.

Democrats forced the debate after US troops captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in a surprise nighttime raid earlier this month.

“Here we have one of the most successful attacks in history and “They find ways to oppose it. It's amazing. And it's a shame," Trump said in a speech in Michigan on Tuesday. He also insulted several Republicans who championed the legislation, calling Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky “a total loser” and Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine “disasters.” These three Republicans maintained their support for the legislation. Despite the president's pressure, the legislation, even if it had passed the Senate, had virtually no chance of becoming law, as it would eventually have to be signed by Trump himself. However, the vote served as a reminder of the nervousness of Republicans speaking on Capitol Hill about potentially antagonizing Trump, who is threatening further action in Venezuela and escalating his rhetoric and threats against Iran and Greenland.