Sen. Lindsey Graham R-SC on Venezuela Boat Strikes
Sen. Lindsey Graham argues Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro is a "narco-terrorist" who must be removed, citing 25 U.S. military strikes already conducted under similar authority and comparing his case to Panama (1989) and Haiti (1994). He insists regime change is the goal, warning Maduro’s continued rule emboldens adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran, while advocating for congressional oversight and a clear post-operation strategy. The urgency stems from drug trafficking’s devastating impact on American communities, framing military action as both lawful and necessary to prevent further harm. [Automatically generated summary]
There's no doubt in my mind that we have the legal authority to blow up these boats, interdict these boats.
In 1989, President Bush 41 literally invaded Panama, dropping the 82nd Airborne, taking the president of Panama out, putting him in American prison because he was a narco-terrorist drug dealer.
Nobody in the Congress accused the military leadership under President Bush 41 of being a war criminal for invading Panama without congressional authorization.
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No, no, just no.
The video, I don't think most Americans give a damn about the video.
Every indication by President Trump is that the purpose of this operation is to shut down the Maduro regime and replace it with something less threatening to the United States.
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Exactly what we did in Panama.
And what I want is some clarity going forward.
Is that in fact the goal?
If it is the goal, I would celebrate that being the right goal.
Doesn't that underpin them the need for oversight?
No.
Oversight.
What I want to do is we did.
I don't know who provided oversight to the invasion of Panama.
This is not about Congress.
Look at the video.
Let Congress look at the video.
No, Congress.
I'm saying they should give it to Congress.
I support that.
I have told him that I think he should release the video.
It should be the policy of the United States that when this is over, he's no longer standing like Norrego was no longer in charge of Panama.
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If that's the goal, count me in.
And I want to know what's the plan for the day after.
Have the Minister probably articulated the objective here with Venezuela?
I think they've articulated their legal authority.
I think they've articulated how they decide to blow somebody up and not.
But I want clarity right here.
President Trump is saying his days are numbered.
That seems to me that he's got to go.
If it's the goal of taking him out because he's a threat in our country, then say it.
And what happens next?
Don't you think most people want to know that?
Do you want them to come back?
And would you like to see the committee answer that?
They gave an answer that was confusing to me.
So do you want them to come back and should there be a paper?
You can continue watching this if you go to our website, c-span.org.
We're going to leave this here for live coverage of the U.S. House here on C-SPAN.
Resolution Consideration00:02:06
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One, adoption of House Resolution 951, if ordered.
The first electronic vote will be conducted as a 15-minute vote.
Pursuant to clause 9 of Rule 20, remaining electronic votes will be conducted as five-minute votes.
Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule 20, the unfinished business is the vote on ordering the previous question on House Resolution 951, on which the yays and nays are ordered.
The clerk will report the title of the resolution.
Resolution providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 4776, to amend the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to clarify ambiguous provisions and facilitate a more efficient, effective, and timely environmental review process.
Providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 1366, to provide for the location of multiple hard rock mining mill sites to establish the abandoned hard rock mine fund and for the purposes.
Providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 845, to require the Secretary of the Interior to reissue regulations removing the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.
Providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 3616, to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to review regulations that may affect the reliable operations of the bulk power system.
Providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 3632, to amend the Federal Power Act to adjust the requirements for orders, rules, and regulations relating to the furnishing adequate service.
To require owners or operators of generating facilities to provide notice of planned retirements of certain electric generating units and for the purposes.
And providing for consideration of the bill, H.R. 4371, to amend the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to enhance efforts to combat the trafficking of children.
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The question is on ordering the previous question.
Members will record their votes by electronic device.