Where does your Pa. member of Congress stand on Venezuela strikes?

by Ian Karbal, Pennsylvania Capital-Star
January 6, 2026

Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation is largely falling along partisan lines when it comes to the Trump Administration’s move to take Venezuela’s president into custody – with notable exceptions.

Smoke is seen over buildings after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on Jan. 3, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. According to some reports, explosions were heard in Caracas and other cities near airports and military bases around 2 a.m. (Photo by Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)

To recap, American troops entered Venezuela early Saturday morning and captured President Nicolás Maduro. The news reportedly caught many members of Congress, which has the authority to declare war, by surprise, as well as President Donald Trump’s pronouncement later that day that the United States will “run the country.” 

Many Democrats from across the country raised concerns that the strike violated the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers  — Article I gives Congress authority to declare war — and lacked foresight.

Republicans, meanwhile, largely praised the outcome as well as the strike’s precision. And most GOP lawmakers appeared to accept the administration’s assertion that the move was not an act of war, which would require Congressional approval, but a law enforcement operation. Maduro had been indicted in 2020 on multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, and will stand trial in federal court.

But not every lawmaker followed the party lines.

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman has emerged as arguably the most vocal Democratic cheerleader of the administration’s actions, and its approach to foreign policy more broadly.

Two swing district Republicans, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mackenzie have struck a more cautious tone than their GOP colleagues, warning against a prolonged deployment of American forces in the country. Fitzpatrick also joined Democrats in calling for Congress to reassert its war-making powers and for the administration to work more closely with lawmakers. The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 1, 2025.  (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

While a clear picture of Venezuela’s future, and America’s role in it, is still emerging, the Capital-Star reached out to each member of the commonwealth’s delegation with a list of questions and a request for each member’s response. Their replies ranged from written answers to issued statements to links to social media posts. One member, Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean, agreed to a phone interview. The Capital-Star is publishing what it received from each member with light editing for clarity:

Brian Fitzpatrick (R-01)

Fitzpatrick did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star. But in the days since the attack, he’s emerged as the harshest Republican critic in Pennsylvania’s delegation over the prospect of U.S. involvement in Venezuela’s governance. Pa. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick. (Courtesy of Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick)

Fitzpatrick is a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Chairman of its subcommittee on the CIA (the intelligence agency was reportedly involved in the Venezuela operation), and a member of the subcommittee on Open-Source Intelligence.

He released a statement on Jan. 3

“Three statements of fact regarding our foreign policy as it pertains to Venezuela:

“1. Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate narco-terror dictator. He terrorized his people, dismantled democratic institutions, and turned the machinery of government into a state-backed criminal enterprise — exporting drugs and cartel violence into the United States, with devastating consequences for hundreds of thousands of American lives. His ouster and prosecution are long overdue. We are thankful for the incredible bravery of the men and women of the U.S. military and our national security professionals.  

“2. The only country that the United States of America should be ‘running’ is the United States of America. The United States should join the international community in monitoring and overseeing a free and fair election in Venezuela, allowing the Venezuelan people a pathway to a true democracy. 

“3. We must all place paramount importance on lawful process and constitutional responsibility. The Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) resolutions have been interpreted by multiple presidents, under multiple scenarios, to cover groups and situations not initially envisioned, leading to debates about the balance of power between the Article I and Article II branches of government. As the Chairman of the CIA Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, we will continue our coordination and collaboration with CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Important information will be shared in forthcoming briefings, and we will continue our active role of proper congressional oversight. What is already clear, however, is this: terrorists, tyrants, dictators, and drug lords must always be met by justice and the rule of law; the extraordinary men and women of our military and intelligence community are the finest in the world; and the future of a free and democratic Venezuela belongs to the Venezuelan people alone.”

Brendan Boyle (D-02)

Boyle did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star, but shared a social media post:

The American people want affordable housing and health care. The last thing they want is another costly forever war. https://t.co/8JhLmsDoUj

— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) January 3, 2026

Dwight Evans (D-03)

Evans answered a series of submitted questions from the Capital-Star via email.

Capital-Star: Do you support the recent removal and arrest of Nicolas Maduro by the U.S. using military force?

Evans: No!

CS: What do you think Congress’ role should have been in this action, if any, and do you believe it should have a role in approving any military activity in Venezuela or other countries going forward?

Evans : I oppose the Trump-Vance administration’s unauthorized and unconstitutional military actions in Venezuela. Once again, this administration has no regard for the rule of law, risking American lives in and near Venezuela. I voted last month for a resolution that would have barred President Trump from military action against Venezuela without authorization by Congress, but House Republicans narrowly defeated it. Trump can’t even run our country well and now he’s focused on trying to run another one – and threatening to attack other countries.U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans (D-3rd District)

America does not need another ill-conceived ‘forever war.’ We have serious problems here at home that Democrats in Congress will keep pushing to address, like Trump letting health-insurance premiums skyrocket Jan. 1 for 22 million Americans. I will continue to fight for Philadelphians and oppose this backwards, disastrous Trump-Vance agenda!

CS: Is there any specific action you believe Congress should take now in response to the recent actions?

Evans: Congress should pass legislation to rein Trump in like the war powers resolution I voted for last month.

CS: President Trump has said he’s open to putting “boots on the ground” or striking Venezuela again if his administration deems it necessary. He’s also suggested the U.S. should have a role in governing the country. What do you think the U.S. role in Venezuela should be going forward?

Evans: The Trump-Vance administration should NOT be taking further military action in Venezuela or the waters off its coast. These illegal actions need to STOP.

Madeleine Dean (D-04)

Rep. Madeleine Dean, a Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the co-chair of the Bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, agreed to an interview with the Capital-Star on Monday. The following excerpts were edited for length and clarity.

Dean said she learned about the military action along with the public when she woke up Saturday, seeing news of the attack on her TV. In subsequent discussions with Democratic colleagues, she learned that neither House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), nor Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Gregory Meeks (D-NY) were alerted by the administration either. U.S. Rep Madeleine Dean (D-4th District)

“That to me is a grotesque abuse of power by this president and his administration,” Dean told the Capital-Star. “They had an obligation to come to Congress first. They had actually said the words that before they would go into Venezuela, they would come to Congress, as required.”

She rejected the administration’s argument that the capture of Maduro was a “law enforcement” operation. 

“Listen to the president,” she said “He spoke first and he said this was a military operation. And he followed that with ‘And we are going to run Venezuela.’ When you go in with a number of air vehicles, and military, and CIA, and whoever else was involved in what was apparently a remarkably well-executed event by our military and intelligence folks — when you go in and seize the leader of a sovereign nation, this is an act of war … Secretary Rubio after [Trump] tried to change the tenor of it and said that it was a police action. Well, it wasn’t a simple arrest. The president himself said it was a military action.”

On the operation itself, Dean praised the U.S. military’s planning and execution

“I’m with [Republicans] in terms of praising the skill of the operation,” she said. “The level of planning and preparation — it’s awesome, what our military can do. I have absolute full confidence in our military. What I don’t have confidence in is the set of decisions that the Commander-in-Chief is making, and that the people in his administration are making. I am in awe of our military, of their service to this country, but I am also mindful that this president has the power and the responsibility not to put them wrongly in harm’s way.”

In particular, Dean said she’s worried about a lack of long-term plan for stability in Venezuela and Latin America.

“The danger here is they don’t have a plan,” she said. “Not only do they not have a plan, not only are they acting lawlessly and recklessly, my fear is that the president talked about the possibility of ‘boots on the ground.’ I worry about military members who are my constituents, military members who are Pennsylvanians, who might be called into this mess. So I call upon my Republican colleagues in Congress in Pennsylvania, like Scott Perry, a veteran himself, to say, ‘No way. This is not what we’re going to do — your crazy, imperialist ideas.’ And remember, allegedly, we picked [Maduro] up for drugs, narcotics trafficking. But the president revealed exactly what this is about. This is about oil. The oil wealth of that nation. So I expect Republican members to stand up alongside the Democrats and say Congress is the authority here in terms of going to war, and we have to demand that of the president and his reckless administration…”

“Don’t mistake any of my grave concern over this for any sympathy for Mr. Maduro. I’m glad he’s out of power.  I hope he’s brought to justice. But guess what? In December, as these boat strikes were going on, who did President Trump pardon? [Former president of Honduras Juan Orlando] Hernández, who was arrested, indicted and convicted for the exact same parallel charges [as Maduro] … This president isn’t serious at all about drugs.”

Dean was equally alarmed about the Trump administration suggesting more military action could be possible in countries like Cuba, Colombia and NATO ally Greenland. Along with the possibility of U.S. military deployment, she said she’s worried about the long-term effects the rhetoric will have on America’s standing and influence on the global stage.

“Look at how irresponsible the president is in signaling these things, and how juvenile,” she said. “In the press conference, he talked about the Monroe Doctrine, and said, ‘Some are calling it the Donroe Doctrine.’ He is so arrested in his development, and in his curiosity, and in his responsibility as the Commander-in-Chief. Someone has sewn these ideas of an imperialistic Donald Trump conquering the hemisphere. So the president is in, I think, a very precarious place. He sees himself as being bigger than life. I see him as shrinking. What he did with this move on Venezuela, without the consultation of Congress, without a plan for the day after, and the day after that, reduced his influence in the world. How does this president now talk to Mr. Putin and say, ‘You know what? What you did in Ukraine was wrong.’ He just reduced his own global influence in a most dangerous way. And these idol chit-chats around Greenland, around Canada, around Cuba, around Colombia, around Mexico, it’s very dangerous.”

Asked what lawmakers should do to reassert their constitutional war powers and rein in the Trump administration, Dean called on members of his own party to act.

“I expect Republican members to demand better, to actually find their spines, their backbones, and their constitutional authority under Article One, which has been drained away from them, and demand briefings … We have to absolutely together demand accountability of this administration. They need to let us decide whether we want to be at war … I am gravely concerned that this president’s seeing oil dollar signs in his eyes, and cares not enough about risking American bloodshed.”

Republicans, largely, have praised the Trump administration’s actions. And many, at least publicly, have brushed aside concerns that Trump’s action required congressional authorization.

Asked what congressional Democrats should do if they don’t receive GOP support, Dean offered few specifics.

“We caucused yesterday, so I won’t tell you what was said, but we are going to do everything in our power to stand up to the president, and to push Republican members, including the speaker of the House, to understand their responsibilities under Article One, and to reclaim them,” she said. “We will use every lever we can. Take a look at what we’re facing right now. The American people are facing increased health care premiums. Many of my constituents are losing health care because they simply cannot afford it. My constituents are livid that we would go to war and pretend that we can run that country when this president hasn’t shown he can run the one he’s in charge of.

“What I tell my constituents, my friends and family, is that it’s on all of us,” she continued. “We [Democrats] are in the minority, but we can be very noisy, we can be very vocal, and we will continue to be, and it will grow. But it’s on every citizen to say this is an unacceptable, grotesque use of power by this administration … I have confidence that people are hungry for ethical, competent government. We’re going to see this thing tip over. A lot of people are going to get hurt in the meantime.”

Mary Gay Scanlon (D-05)

Scanlon did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star, but provided the following social media post.

There is no question that Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate leader. However, President Trump’s decision to carry out extensive military strikes in Venezuela and remove Maduro from power without congressional approval or a clear plan for the future does not make the world more…

— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) January 3, 2026

Chrissy Houlahan (D-06)

Houlahan did not respond to outreach from the Capital-Star, but shared  a critical statement from ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee Adam Smith (D-Wa.)  on social media.

She is one of six Democratic members of congress, all veterans, who released a video last year urging military service members not to follow unlawful orders. The move was called “seditious” by Trump, and has prompted the FBI to seek interviews with the lawmakers.

Addending Smith’s statement, Houlahan wrote:

We need President Trump to focus on the crucial issues affecting Americans. He and his administration need to attack increasingly high prices, our unstable economy and the healthcare crisis.

Instead they have attacked an oil-rich country and are planning to “manage” it. This is… https://t.co/GUMJqzSE1J

— Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) January 3, 2026

Ryan Mackenzie (R-07)

Arnaud Armstrong, a spokesperson for Mackenzie, provided a statement in response to questions from the Capital-Star.

Like Fitzpatrick — another Republican representing a swing district — Mackenzie praised the U.S. military action, but warned against long-term involvement in Venezuela’s governance.

“Congressman Mackenzie remains opposed to foreign military interventions that lead to unnecessary, protracted conflicts abroad, like the ‘forever wars’ we have been involved with for the past few decades,” Armstrong wrote. “That’s why he led the way in Congress on repealing outdated AUMFs [Authorizations for Use of Military Force] in the most recent NDAA [National Defense Authorization Act]. Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, PA-07. (Official photo)

“Congressman Mackenzie understands that while the focus of this effort in Venezuela was to capture an indicted narcoterrorist who was illegitimately claiming to be the president of Venezuela through fraudulent elections, we must now ensure that the Venezuelans quickly move to self-governance and that the U.S. does not get involved in another long-term conflict.”

Mackenzie himself released the following statement: “The capture of Nicolás Maduro is a decisive victory for U.S. security and regional stability. Maduro was an illegitimate dictator and narcoterrorist who funneled drugs into the United States — killing countless young Americans. As a result of this operation, the United States, the western hemisphere, and the broader world are safer and more secure.”

“With Maduro’s reign now toppled, and American justice on the horizon, we look forward to working alongside the Venezuelan people to establish a democratic and prosperous nation that no longer poses a threat to American families. We thank American servicemembers for their bravery, ingenuity, and success, and we pray for a swift recovery for all those who were injured. We are grateful that there have not been any immediate fatalities among our armed forces.”

Rob Bresnahan (R-08)

Bresnahan responded to questions from the Capital-Star with an emailed statement:

“Nicolás Maduro is a thug who stole an election and ran a narcoterrorist regime disguised as a government that spread violence, drugs, and chaos that cost thousands of American lives. The world is safer today because the United States acted decisively and stood up to evil.”

“Our troops are the best in the world, and I am grateful to those who carried out this mission with unmatched skill and bravery.”

Dan Meuser (R-09)

A spokesperson for Meuser pointed the Capital-Star to a statement posted on social media shortly after the capture of Maduro.

President Trump has remained steadfast in his focus on protecting American lives and confronting evil that threatens our country. Nicolás Maduro has presided over a regime marked by arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, extrajudicial killings, disappearances, repression of…

— Congressman Dan Meuser (@RepMeuser) January 3, 2026

Scott Perry (R-10)

Perry did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star, but shared this social media post.

Socialism and crime are corrosive to people, cultures, and countries. Venezuela’s long nightmare with an illegitimate, criminal leader is finally over, and its people have been given the opportunity to choose a brighter future.
Americans, likewise, can sleep better knowing that…

— Rep. Scott Perry (@RepScottPerry) January 3, 2026

Lloyd Smucker (R-11)

Smucker did not respond to requests for comment from the Capital-Star, but posted this statement to social media on Jan. 3.

Nicolás Maduro is a narcoterrorist who has led an oppressive dictatorship and has been indicted for crimes committed against Americans. He will now stand trial. President Trump’s decisive action protects American lives. I am deeply grateful for the brave men and women who serve…

— Rep. Lloyd Smucker (@RepSmucker) January 3, 2026

Summer Lee (D-12)

Lee responded to questions from the Capital-Star with an emailed statement:

“Invading a foreign country without congressional approval and kidnapping its leader is a blatant violation of U.S. and international law. This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens international stability and security, puts Americans further at risk, and infringes on the sovereignty of foreign countries. Congress must act and reassert its authority. We must pass a War Powers Resolution and stop this unilateral executive action immediately.” The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

John Joyce (R-13)

Joyce responded to questions from the Capital-Star with an emailed statement

“Nicolas Maduro’s criminal and corrupt reign is over thanks to the courage, bravery, and heroism of the service members who carried out this past weekend’s targeted operation. Once again, President Trump has taken decisive action to fight narco-terrorism, stop the flow of drugs across our borders, and protect American lives.”

Guy Reschenthaler (R-14)

Reschenthaler responded to questions from the Capital-Star with an emailed statement

“President Trump and our nation’s warfighters successfully executed an operation to bring Nicolas Maduro to justice. Maduro is an indicted narco-terrorist who enabled the ruthless Venezuelan cartels that funnel lethal drugs into the United States. This precise and decisive action demonstrates to our adversaries what happens when you place Americans in danger. President Trump has once again made our nation safer.”

Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-15)

Congressman G.T. Thompson at the open of the 108th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, on January 6, 2024. (Commonwealth Media Services)

Renee Gamela, a spokesperson for Thompson, responded to questions from the Capital-Star with a statement.

“Maduro has been indicted since 2020 and his regime has not been considered legitimate. An interim president is now in place, and it is Congressman Thompson’s hope that any further intervention will be minimal. This arrest should serve as a warning for other bad actors who put their personal interests ahead of their people and the rule of law.”

Mike Kelly (R-16)

A spokesperson for Kelly pointed the Capital-Star to a statement released on Jan. 3, shortly after the capture of Maduro.

“Today, President Trump has once again shown the world that the United States will defend itself from terrorism of all kinds, including narcoterrorism led by Venezuela’s illegitimate leader Nicolás Maduro,” said Rep. Kelly. “For years, I’ve sounded the alarm about foreign intervention against the United States throughout the Western Hemisphere. This includes illegal drug trafficking into our country. Today’s tactical military operation in Venezuela is the Trump Doctrine in action. This is the right time to have the right president in the White House.”

Chris Deluzio (D-17)

A spokesperson for Deluzio shared a statement released on Jan. 3. 

Deluzio drew the ire of the Trump administration as one of six Democratic members of Congress, all military service veterans, who released a video urging troops not to follow illegal orders.

“Neither the American people nor the United States Congress has authorized an invasion of Venezuela, a war with Venezuela, or a military occupation of Venezuela. We have enough problems here at home in America that President Trump is failing to fix; we do not need a reckless and unconstitutional foreign military occupation that would drain precious American blood and treasure.”

“To the young people of Pennsylvania: Should you die for regime change and an occupation of Venezuela? To Pennsylvanian parents and grandparents: Should your children or grandchildren be sent to risk their lives? More to the point — in a Constitutional Republic such as ours, no President has the power to send American troops into war and occupation like this.”U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17th District)

“Our Constitution is clear: the American people through our representatives in Congress have the sole power to declare war and send Americans to topple foreign governments and occupy foreign lands. Yet, Donald Trump thinks the American people have no say in any of this and that we should all foot the bill for his unconstitutional actions in Venezuela.”

“Maduro is an illegitimate and brutal dictator who stole an election to cling to power. He is hardly alone across the globe, yet it is not the American people’s responsibility to launch regime change wars against every foreign despot.”

“My generation of veterans knows the heavy costs and long-lasting wounds of unnecessary forever wars fueled by a lust for oil abroad. No more. No Americans should bleed and die in an unnecessary war and occupation that the American people have not approved. Congress needs to grow a spine and take back authority over war powers. My constitutional oath is sacred, and I will do everything in my power to defend our Constitution.”

Sen. John Fetterman

Fetterman did not respond to questions from the Capital-Star. In an interview with Fox News on Jan. 5, Fetterman reiterated that support, and support for the Trump administration’s foreign policy approach more broadly. In particular, he compared the military action in Venezuela to America’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities last year. He noted the direct approach in that instance did not appear to cause the kind of regional chaos critics warned about, and said he’s hopeful for a similar outcome in Latin America following the capture of Maduro.

Fetterman also praised the Trump administration for giving Maduro a trial, as opposed to assassinating him, and brushed off concerns raised by primarily Democratic lawmakers about the lack of transparency and consultation prior to military deployment.Pennsylvania Democratic U.S. Senator John Fetterman (Photo courtesy of Sen. John Fetterman)

The following is an excerpt from that Fox News interview, edited for length and clarity:

“[Venezuelans are] celebrating these kinds of things. We want to remember the kinds of chaos and suffering that Maduro brought to Venezuela. Why can’t we call this a good development now, and be open to better kinds of outcomes for that nation? Our nation was forced to absorb over 500,000 Venezuelans … This wasn’t a war. This wasn’t ‘boots on ground’ in that kind of way. This was surgical and very efficient. I want to celebrate our military.”

“Now they’re also putting [Maduro] on trial. They didn’t assassinate him. They didn’t disappear him. He’s actually on our TV right now, and they’re gonna give him a trial.”

“I’d like to also make a point: so many people were freaking out about the Iranian strikes last year. I absolutely called for those things, and I supported those kinds of things. The Middle East didn’t just spiral. It’s actually much more peaceful. Now, many of the members of BRICS [a group of countries designated as having emerging economies in the early 2000s, including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa] are absolutely paying attention to what happened in Venezuela. If I’m in Iran, I’m thinking, ‘Woah. Maybe I won’t talk so tough anymore.’ It just reminds people that we have the capabilities to touch you wherever you are. Now I think things are going to be more stable, if anything … So, for me, I’m open for better opportunities, and I have to call it necessarily positive. I can’t just condemn it because I happen to be a Democrat.”

Sen. Dave McCormick

McCormick did not respond to outreach from the Capital-Star, but on Jan. 5, he shared a clip from a Fox News interview on social media.

“It was a great day for the Venezuelan people. It was a great day for our military … an incredible operation that was executed with great competence and great lethality. And what a great day for the President, who demonstrated once again that he’s willing to fight for America’s interests.U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) toured Aurelius, a nonprofit organization operating a brain health and human performance clinic at Harrisburg University in Harrisburg on Oct. 27, 2025. (Photo by John Cole/Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

“And Venezuela, under Maduro, was killing Americans, killing Pennsylvanians — a major transshipment center. 4,000 Pennsylvanians died last year from drug overdoses. Venezuela is part of the reason for that. It was also a host to Iran, China and Russia — many of our adversaries, where they could essentially launch terrorist kinds of activities on American soil. So this was a fight for America’s interests, and the President, and the team and the military executed it brilliantly.”