The Daily Punch Venezuela: Trump's biggest challenge to the Hill yet
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Jan 5, 2026 Tensions escalate as President Trump’s move to oust Nicolás Maduro ignites a constitutional showdown in Congress. Key administration officials face tough questions surrounding U.S. troop involvement and mixed messaging about regime change. Intra-GOP divisions emerge between isolationists and hawks, complicating the foreign policy landscape. Meanwhile, Senate leader John Thune discusses health care timelines and his potential compromises. The stakes are high as lawmakers ponder strategies to manage Venezuela's oil and regional dynamics.
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Post-Break Washington Reset
- Sherman recounts the recent December break and the looming Obamacare cliff as context for January priorities.
- He frames Venezuela as the dominant global story returning lawmakers to Washington.
Congress Now Center Stage On Venezuela
- Trump's ouster of Maduro forces Congress into a central foreign-policy role and a constitutional test.
- Lawmakers will face pressure to assert oversight because the White House claims control over Venezuela's governance and resources.
Mixed Messages On Regime Change
- The administration privately told Congress it didn't seek regime change while publicly pursuing Maduro's removal.
- That disconnect sharpens mistrust and will drive aggressive questioning from key senators and committees.