The Senate dealt a rare rebuke to President Donald Trump in a Thursday vote to advance legislation opposing further military action in Venezuela, demonstrating formidable political opposition to the foreign intervention and mounting concerns among Republicans about a US long-term commitment abroad.

Five Republicans crossed party lines to join with all Democrats on the procedural vote to rein in Trump, after senators in both parties complained about a lack of consultation with Congress before Trump ordered the military to seize Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

Trump struck back, saying Republicans should be “ashamed” of the senators who broke rank, who he said “should never be elected again.”

“This Vote greatly hampers American Self Defence and National Security, impeding the President’s Authority as Commander in Chief,” Trump posted on social media.

Moderate Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski and Todd Young joined with Rand Paul and Josh Hawley, who are more isolationist members of the party, in breaking with Trump on the vote.

The Senate still must pass the resolution before sending it to the House, which is unlikely to pass the measure. The Senate won’t vote on the resolution until next week, said a Republican leadership aide.

Democratic senators also have threatened to block funding for more attacks but that legislation is extremely unlikely to overcome a presidential veto and become law.

Most Republicans have fallen in line behind Trump after the lightning-strike attack, including hawks who have occasionally clashed with Trump like Mitch McConnell. Other Republicans are leery of a quagmire.

“President Trump campaigned against forever wars,” Young said in a statement after the vote. “A drawn-out campaign in Venezuela involving the American military, even if unintended, would be the opposite of President Trump’s goal of ending foreign entanglements.”

Collins, who faces a tough reelection in Maine this November, also pointed to the risks of bogging down US troops in Venezuela as the reason for her vote.

“I believe invoking the War Powers Act at this moment is necessary, given the President’s comments about the possibility of ‘boots on the ground’ and a sustained engagement ‘running’ Venezuela, with which I do not agree,” Collins said in a statement issued shortly before the vote.

More isolationist members like Paul have long been critical of presidents engaging in military action while bypassing Congress and its constitutional power to declare war.

Trump said Thursday he would veto the resolution if it passes Congress. (Bloomberg)

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