The Senate in Washington has opposed the US government’s planned armaments dealings with Saudi Arabia.
With 53 votes to 45 each, the congressional chamber dominated by President Donald Trump’s Republican Party passed two resolutions yesterday rejecting part of the proposed arms deal.
The resolutions still require the approval of the House of Representatives. There are the opposition Democrats in the majority, which is why the local adoption is considered a formality.
Reaction to bypassing the Congress
However, Trump can cancel the parliamentary decisions by means of his right of veto. A presidential veto can only be overruled by a two-thirds majority in both houses – a high hurdle.
The resolutions are in response to a rare move by the Trump administration to bypass Congress to authorize the sale of weapons, ammunition, and aircraft maintenance services to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Dispute about dealing with Saudi Arabia
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo justified the move by stating that supplies were urgently needed because of the activities of Saudi Arabia’s archenemy Iran. With his decisions, the Senate now made it clear that he does not want to accept this circumvention of the Congress.
The resolutions also reflect resistance from parts of the Republican parliamentarians against the rump of the Trump government’s riyadh. In March and April, both congressional chambers had already requested the president to end military US involvement alongside Saudi Arabia in the Yemen conflict. Trump then vetoed this congressional resolution.
