A bipartisan coalition led by members of the Senate and House is renewing legislation against U.S. support of the Saudi-led war against Yemen. As a result of the war, approximately 14 million Yemenis are at risk of starvation and some 85,000 children have already starved to death.
The Senate passed the war powers resolution last Congress in an historic vote, but the bill did not receive a vote in the House. Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) recently renewed support for legislation directing the removal of U.S. Armed Forces from participating in a Saudi-led war against Yemen without the approval of Congress.
With the Senate bill supported by an Independent, a Republican, and a Democrat, their resolution seeks to invoke the war powers resolution which directs the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from any conflict not specifically authorized by Congress. In a recent press release, Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) announced their renewed support to end the U.S. government’s participation in slaughtering the people of Yemen for Saudi payoffs.
“With the first-ever passage of a War Powers Resolution last month, the United States Senate said in no uncertain terms that we will not continue to have our military posture dictated by a despotic, murderous regime in Saudi Arabia. We look forward to quickly passing this resolution to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen,” Sen. Bernie Sanders asserted. “We are going to send a strong signal to the president that the U.S. Congress is prepared to play the role designed for us by the framers of the Constitution.”
“The Founders specifically gave Congress – the branch closest to the people – the power to declare war. Yet we’ve been participating in war actions in the Yemeni Civil War since 2015 without the go-ahead from Congress. It was unconstitutional then, and it’s unconstitutional now,” Sen. Mike Lee declared. “Today, we are reintroducing the same resolution this body passed just last month, and we look forward to swift action here in the Senate and the House.”
“For years, I have been sounding the alarm about the disastrous U.S. involvement in the civil war in Yemen,” stated Sen. Chris Murphy. “Late last year, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate woke up and came together to pass our War Powers Resolution. We sent a strong message to Saudi Arabia that they can no longer expect a blank check from the United States. With the new Democratic majority in the House, I am optimistic that Congress will once again sound the alarm over the atrocities committed in Yemen and end U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition that is killing thousands of civilians, blocking humanitarian aid, and arming radical militias.”
“The U.S.-Saudi military campaign in Yemen has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. More than 14 million Yemenis—half the country—are on the brink of famine, and at least 85,000 children have already died from hunger and disease as a result of the war,” observed Rep. Ro Khanna. “I’m proud to partner with colleagues and work to end U.S. military participation in the Saudi regime’s war in Yemen by reasserting Congress’ constitutional role on matters of war and peace. I am confident this will pass in the House when brought for a vote.”
“As the Saudi-led coalition continues to use famine as a weapon of war, starving millions of innocent Yemenis to near death, the United States is actively participating in the regime’s military campaign, providing targeting and logistical assistance for Saudi airstrikes. For far too long, Congress has refused to carry out its constitutional responsibility to make decisions regarding military engagement—we can longer stay silent on matters of war and peace,” said Rep. Mark Pocan. “I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining us in introducing this resolution, and for House Leadership’s commitment to removing U.S. forces from this senseless conflict and bringing the world’s worst humanitarian crisis to a swift end.”
“The conflict in Yemen has gone on for far too long, leaving a permanent stain on the conscience of the world,” stated Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “Congress has the responsibility to provide oversight of America’s use of military force and support to international conflicts. Chairman Adam Smith and Congressman Ro Khanna are to be commended for their leadership in introducing this resolution to limit U.S. engagement in the war in Yemen. The United States must also work to advance a peaceful, enduring political solution to the conflict and end the humanitarian crisis.”
Although complicit for years with Saudi Arabia’s notorious human rights abuses, bipartisan support in the House and Senate has finally reached a boiling point during the months following the blatant murder of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last October. Despite the fact that President Donald Trump has no problem accepting money from the Saudi government, many constituents have no desire to continue funding a needless war against the people of Yemen.
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