WASHINGTON (January 8, 2026) – On Thursday, the Senate advanced a bill to block the administration from taking further military action in Venezuela. The bill comes a few days after a raid was conducted apprehending the country’s president, Nicolas Maduro. This marks the first time in Trump’s second administration that Congress has advanceda bill to block the use of the military for foreign policy.
Experts at the George Washington University are available to provide context and analysis on these developments.
Congressional Experts:
Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is a longtime public servant and higher education leader, who has extensive experience tackling critical political and social issues throughout her career. Now, as the executive director of GSPM, she is excited to return to D.C. and help prepare the next generation of public servants and political professionals.
Casey Burgat is a professor at the George Washington University School of Political Management. Professor Burgat is the director of the Legislative Affairs program and hosts its Mastering the Room podcast. Prior to joining GW, Burgat was a Senior Governance Fellow at the R Street Institute where his research focused on issues of congressional capacity and reform.
International Affairs:
Gordon Gray is the Kuwait Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University. Professor Gray was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs from 2005 until 2008; his responsibilities included the promotion of U.S. interests in the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa, and oversight of the bureau’s Regional Affairs office. His other foreign assignments included Egypt (where he served as Deputy Chief of Mission from 2002 until 2005), Canada, Jordan, Pakistan, and Morocco, where he began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer. He twice received the Presidential Meritorious Service award.
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