A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a war powers resolution seeking to block the White House from launching an attack on Venezuela without congressional authorization, after President Trump said a land attack would start “very soon.” The resolution was co-sponsored by Democrats Chuck Schumer, Tim Kaine and Adam Schiff, along with Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul, who wrote, “The American people do not want to be dragged into endless war with Venezuela without public debate or a vote. We ought to defend what the Constitution demands: deliberation before war.”

In Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday confirmed he spoke by phone with President Trump about 10 days ago, calling the conversation a potential opening for diplomacy.

President Nicolás Maduro: “I received a phone call and spoke with President Donald Trump. I can say that the conversation was in a respectful tone, and I can even say it was cordial between the U.S. president and the president of Venezuela. I add that if this call means there are steps toward a respectful dialogue between states, between countries, then welcome dialogue, welcome diplomacy, because we will always seek peace.”