John Fetterman Is The Only Democrat To Vote Against Measure To Block Trump's Strikes In The Caribbean

John Fetterman was the only Democratic senator to vote against the measure seeking to block the Trump administration from conducting strikes in the Caribbean without congressional approval.

The initiative, sponsored by colleagues Adam Schiff and Tim Kaine, would have had President Donald Trump seek congressional approval to continue with such operations. It failed after getting 48 votes in favor and 51 against. Republican Senators Rand Paul and Lisa Murkowski, in contrast, joined Democrats.

Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the senior Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the strikes, noting that "using the U.S. military to conduct unchecked strikes in the Caribbean risks destabilizing the region, provoking confrontation with neighboring governments and drawing our forces into yet another open-ended conflict without a clear mission or exit strategy...because of one man's impulsive decision-making."

Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and sits on the Armed Services panel, rejected the criticism, saying President Donald Trump is fulfilling a campaign promise: "President Trump stated very clearly and repeatedly during the campaign that he would attack these cartels if necessary. This is simply him keeping his word to the American people," he said.

Fetterman has repeatedly broken with his party on some issues throughout his term. The Intercept noted that earlier this year he was also the only one to break with the caucus for a similar resolution in response to the administration's strike on Iran.

Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to increase pressure on Venezuela's authoritarian government. There are now 10,000 troops deployed in the region, according to a new report. Most are in bases in Puerto Rico.

The New York Times detailed that there are also eight surface warships and a submarine there. Forces have been conducting drills and the U.S. has struck at least four vessels officials claim were carrying drugs that were ultimately set to reach the U.S.

Local outlet El Naciona alsol noted that the U.S. has has moved several military helicopters off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago, just a few miles from the country.

Citing specialized outlets and forum, El Nacional detailed that at least four special ops helicopters and three Black Hawks have been spotted. It added that they could be aboard the Ocean Trader, the converted cargo vessel designed to serve as a special operations mothership.

Originally launched as a commercial roll-on/roll-off cargo ship in 2010, the vessel was later converted under a $73 million U.S. Navy contract to support a wide range of special operations missions. The Ocean Trader is capable of hosting up to 159 special operations forces in addition to its 50-member crew, operating at sea for as long as 45 days before resupply.

It is equipped with helicopter hangars, boat launch bays, aviation fuel stores, workshops, and intelligence facilities, while retaining a commercial appearance intended to blend with merchant traffic.