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From Capitol Hill to Caracas: Power, Authority, and Consequences
As Congress advances a funding deal and scrutinizes executive war powers, actions at the Pentagon and in Venezuela are raising sharp questions about authority, oversight, and consequence.
Happy New Year and welcome back to Washington! The Nimitz Group is back in action, and we look forward to sharing some exciting updates to the Nimitz Report very soon. Stay tuned!
This week will be one to watch as Congress gets back to action following the US Capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores on Friday night. Senior national security officials will brief Congress this evening.
While we do not have any hearings on the docket this week, January is set to be a very busy month as the VA moves forward with its efforts to reorganize the management structure of the Veterans Health Administration and HVAC Republicans continue with their VA Reauthorization package.
In this week’s Nimitz Report:
Funding deal advances & war powers questioned: Congress moves to avert shutdown as lawmakers scrutinize Venezuela operation and executive authority.
Pentagon targets Kelly: Hegseth seeks to censure and demote Sen. Mark Kelly, raising civil-military and free speech debate.
U.S. intervention in Venezuela: Maduro in U.S. custody as administration signals transitional control amid legal and geopolitical backlash.
WHO’S HAVING EVENTS THIS WEEK?
There are no veteran-related hearings or markups this week.
NEWS DRIVING THE WEEK
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro arrives in Manhattan this morning. Via Reuters
Congressional News
This morning, Congressional appropriators released the text of a three-bill federal funding package in a significant bipartisan step to prevent a government shutdown scheduled for later this month. The package includes funding for the departments of Energy, Commerce, Interior, and Justice, as well as water programs, the EPA, and federal science initiatives, signaling renewed momentum after a prolonged period of fiscal stalemate on Capitol Hill. Senate and House leaders described the move as essential to avoid another shutdown and restore stability to federal operations, though lawmakers must still approve the remaining appropriations bills to fully fund the government for fiscal year 2026.
Members of Congress will receive a briefing this evening from Trump Administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on recent U.S. actions in Venezuela and the scope of presidential war powers. This follows the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and related military operations, raising questions among lawmakers from both parties about executive authority and oversight. Some legislators have expressed concern that the administration undertook significant military and intelligence actions without prior authorization, prompting discussions about potential war powers resolutions and future oversight hearings to clarify Congress’s constitutional role in such engagements.
Veteran News
Today, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has initiated formal action to censure and potentially demote Senator Mark Kelly, a retired Navy captain, over his role in a video encouraging service members to refuse unlawful orders. The move could result in Kelly being reduced in retired rank and losing a portion of his military retirement pay. Hegseth argues the action is necessary to uphold military discipline and nonpartisanship, while Kelly has denounced it as politically motivated retaliation. The case has sparked debate over civil-military relations, free speech, and the Pentagon’s authority over retired officers.
Last week, the VA announced it awarded more than $77 million in grants during fiscal year 2025 to expand and improve 20 state veterans cemeteries nationwide and establish Alaska’s first state veterans cemetery. These funds reimburse states for construction and enhancement projects, supporting burial services for more than 43,700 veterans and eligible family members. Since 1980, the VA’s grant program has awarded over $1.1 billion to veterans cemeteries, ensuring access within 75 miles for most veterans.
National News
The national spotlight turns toward New York today, as Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores face drug trafficking and related charges after their capture by U.S. forces in a series of attacks on Venezuela. On Saturday, President Donald Trump declared the U.S. would temporarily “run” Venezuela and oversee its transition while tapping into the country’s oil infrastructure, though details of governance and congressional authorization remain unsettled.
Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was named interim leader by Venezuela’s Supreme Court and condemned the U.S. action as aggression. The intervention has drawn sharp reactions domestically and internationally, raising questions about legality, executive authority, and the future political trajectory of Venezuela amid intense geopolitical scrutiny.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition”
FOR FUN
2026 marks the 250th birthday of the United States of America! To kick off the America250 excitement, projections of American history have illuminated the Washington Monument for the last week, and will conclude this evening with a fireworks show. More info can be found here.
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