Senate Republicans blocked bipartisan war powers resolution to halt President Donald Trump's Caribbean drug boat strikes and possibly future military action without consent from Congress.

U.S. senators are due to vote on a resolution on Thursday that could keep President Donald Trump from attacking Venezuela without congressional authorization, a day after administration officials told lawmakers that Washington did not yet have a legal justification for strikes on Venezuelan territory.

Virts withdrew from his longshot bid for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican John Cornyn. Instead, he's running for Texas' 9th Congressional District.

The Senate stalemate dragged on Thursday, and Senate Democrats remained in high spirits after clinching an Election Day sweep and ending optimism the shutdown could end this week.

Democrats face an uphill battle to recapture a U.S. Senate majority in the November 2026 midterm elections, as Republicans are defending just two seats seen as competitive by nonpartisan analysts and hold a 53-47 majority.

After former Vice President Dick Cheney died this week, leftist U.S. Senate hopeful Graham Platner indicated that he won't be mourning. (Credit: X/ Graham Platner for Senate)