During a vote held in the Senate, five members of the Republican party voted to advance a bipartisan resolution on the War Powers Act, which would prevent President Donald Trump from deploying US military forces to Venezuela. Led by Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, who is credited with spearheading the bipartisan measure, Senator Elizabeth Ann Murkowski of Alaska, Representative Susan Collins of Maine, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri, and Representative Todd Young of Indiana all voted to approve the resolution. The final vote was 52 to 47, and it passed despite the request from Republican leaders to eliminate the resolution and preserve the authority of the nation's leader. Two similar resolutions had failed in the Senate last month. Nevertheless, the effort by those who supported the resolution to block the use of military force within or against Venezuela without congressional authorization represents progress for those seeking to limit the president's authority regarding the use of military force.

Trump's opponents are trying to join forces to derail the conservative's strategy of deploying US troops to Venezuela under the pretext of maintaining order, following the arrest of Nicolas Maduro last Saturday.

Gavin Newsom claims California is a model to follow and lashes out against Donald Trump

After eight years governing the Golden State, Democrat Gavin Newsom asserted that he has implemented policies that have combated homelessness and high healthcare costs, which could serve as a model for other states.

“Every year, the naysayers, the pundits, and the critics suffering from California syndrome look at this state and try to dismiss our progress, but we know the truth: California's success is not by chance, it is intentional.”

He stated this during his first in-person address to lawmakers since 2022. Also for the first time during his term, Newsom touted the decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness, which fell by 9% compared to the previous six years. However, he did not provide specific data on the number of people who continue to live on the streets. Recently, President Donald Trump warned the governor of California about an investigation into alleged fraud. In this regard, the Democrat, who is projected as a possible presidential candidate in 2028, criticized him for helping the wealthy who supported his campaign, relegating to the background the needs of a population burdened by the high prices generated by his administration. “In California, we don't stay silent, we don't dig in, we don't retreat, we are a beacon,” he emphasized. Amid applause, Newsom highlighted that his administration made progress in terms of housing affordability, expanding health coverage, cheaper insulin, universal preschool education, phasing out fossil fuels, and increasing the use of clean energy. Regarding his remaining challenges in the final stretch of his administration, he mentioned that he will focus on curbing large investors who buy homes, forcing potential buyers to compete. The controversial aspect of this point is that Donald Trump previously announced a similar strategy, but to be implemented at the federal level. Although California began the year with an estimated $18 billion deficit, which continues to be threatened by federal cuts, Newsom cites estimated revenues of $42 billion, the result of gains in the stock market. The California governor also anticipated a difficult budget year ahead, but one supported by a general fund of $248.3 billion and including $42.3 billion in revenues higher than projected last year. Minutes after the Democrat's speech, Corrin Rankin, chair of the California Republican Party, released a statement calling it fanciful.

“Governor Newsom told Californians that homelessness has decreased. Crime is at historic lows, schools are improving, and Los Angeles is recovering from the Palisades fires. Governor Newsom painted a picture of California that only existed in his imagination,” the text states.