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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 8, 2016
Contact: Sergio Gor (Paul), 202-224-4343
Chris Harris (Murphy), 202-224-4041
Michael Dale (Franken), 202-224-5641
Conn Carroll (Lee), 202-224-5444
Sens. Paul, Murphy, Franken, and Lee Introduce Joint Resolution to Block Military Equipment Sale to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S.
Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Al Franken (D-MN), and
Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a joint resolution of disapproval to block
the U.S. sale of Abrams tanks and associated major defense articles to
the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Pentagon announced the proposed sale,
totaling $1.15 billion, in August.
“Selling
$1.15 billion in tanks, guns, ammunition, and more to a country with a
poor human rights record embroiled in a bitter war is a recipe for
disaster and an escalation of an ongoing arms race in the region,”said Sen. Paul.
“Saudi
Arabia is an important partner, but their war in Yemen, funded by the
U.S., has become a disaster that is making our country less safe every
day,” said Sen. Murphy. “Thousands of civilians are being killed,
and terrorist groups inside the country, like al Qaeda and ISIS, are
getting stronger. Until the Saudis conduct changes, the U.S. should put a
pause on further arms sales."
“The
Obama Administration has recently offered over a billion dollars in
weaponry to Saudi Arabia, and I think it’s in America’s best interest to
call a timeout on this sale,” said Sen. Franken. “In
Yemen, a Saudi coalition of fighters is unjustly killing civilians
while at the same time not doing enough to address terrorism. This is
dangerous for the Middle East, for our other allies, and for our nation,
which is why I’m helping to introduce this bipartisan resolution.”
“Unbeknownst
to many Americans, their military has been engaged in the civil war in
Yemen throughout this year with very little oversight or authorization
from their representatives in Congress,” said Sen. Lee. “I am
cosponsoring this resolution because I believe it is our responsibility
as stewards of our constituents’ interests to have a public discussion
and debate on the merits - or lack thereof - of our involvement in this
conflict and the broader Middle East. This presents Congress with an
opportunity to prove we can do our jobs in a bipartisan manner and put
the safety and security of the American people first. It will also allow
us to work with the Saudis to recalibrate our alliance towards more
productive and enduring achievements.”
In
addition to today’s Senate action, 64 members of the U.S. House of
Representatives signed a letter to President Obama in August urging him
to delay the sale. The House letter and today’s joint resolution are
attached.
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