Massachusetts Congressmen Seth Moulton (MA-06) and Jim McGovern (MA-02) have re-introduced legislation that would stop any further U.S. military action in Venezuela and would give Congress the authority of deciding on military operations in the country.

Called the War Powers Resolution, it would require the Trump Administration to halt U.S. military involvement in Venezuela unless Congress explicitly approves such an action, which Moulton’s office says is consistent with the War Powers Act and the Constitution.

“Maduro is a bad guy. There’s a lot of bad guys in the world. The operation was successful. Of course it was, because that’s what America does. But we as members of Congress and American people should not be lied to by any administration and we should all ask questions about where our tax dollars and where American lives may be spent or wasted,” Moulton said during a Wednesday press conference in the U.S. Capitol Building.

“We cannot let the Trump Administration drag us into another forever war. The American people, through their elected representatives, decide when we go to war — and they do not want war in Venezuela,” he continued.

The resolution was re-introduced by McGovern, an original co-sponsor, in response to President Trump’s order for the U.S. military and federal law enforcement to arrest Maduro from the South American country, with many Democratic members of Congress criticizing Trump for failing to seek congressional approval.

“Courage is not always a prerequisite for serving in Congress. One of the most disappointing developments in this Trump era has been the number of Republicans who have come to me, not only on foreign policy but on domestic matters and told me that they agree with us, but they can’t vote with us,” McGovern said at the press conference.

“We’re going to talk to our Republican colleagues. We’re going to pressure them, we’re going to pray for them, we’re going to light candles for them, we’re going to do whatever to get them to vote their conscience. Because I think if people vote their conscience, this War Powers Resolution will pass overwhelmingly. We want this administration to know that we’re not potted plants here, that they need to work with Congress on these matters and if they don’t that we’re going to fight back,” he said.

But it has a hard road to becoming law, requiring full House approval before gaining full Senate approval and a signature from President Trump.

A nearly identical resolution previously introduced by McGovern forced a floor debate in December, failing by just two votes in a final tally of 211-213.

The Senate narrowly voted to advance its own version of the resolution in a 52-47 vote Thursday, setting up for a full Senate vote next week that would require a simple majority vote. Five Republicans joined Democrats across the aisle to advance the Senate version, including co-sponsor Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), along with Sen. Susan Collins (R–ME), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO).

The Senate resolution is being led by Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and is also co-sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

President Trump blasted the five Republicans in a Truth Social post on Thursday, saying other members of the GOP “should be ashamed” of them.

“Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, Josh Hawley, and Todd Young should never be elected to office again. This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defense and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief,” Trump said. “In any event, and despite their ‘stupidity,’ the War Powers Act is Unconstitutional, totally violating Article II of the Constitution, as all Presidents, and their Departments of Justice, have determined before me. Nevertheless, a more important Senate Vote will be taking place next week on this very subject.”

Like McGovern and Moulton’s House version, it is unlikely to become law as it would need a signature from President Trump after receiving House approval.

This latest version filed by McGovern has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Burlington, MA – Congressman Seth Moulton speaks after visiting the ICE facility in Burlington. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)