Trump Wins Veto Fight With Senate to Allow Arms Sales to Saudis

The Senate lost a bid to override President Donald Trump’s veto and block arms sales to Saudi Arabia to punish the kingdom for the murder of columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

The votes Monday demonstrate the limits of Congress’ ability to act as a check on the president’s policies, even on foreign policy issues where some Republicans oppose the president’s position. Only a handful of GOP senators joined Democrats in voting to override the vetoes. None of the three resolutions got more than 46 votes -- far short of the two-thirds majority needed.

Federal Chair Powell Testifies Before Senate Banking Committee
Bob MenendezPhotographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said Saudi Arabia has been targeting civilians in its war against Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen.

“There are few days in this body when we can say our votes will save lives,” Menendez of New Jersey said on the Senate floor just before the votes. “Today is such a day.“

The three resolutions were intended to halt what House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer called “the most controversial and significant sales contemplated,” including precision-guided munitions for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Lawmakers are increasingly questioning the war in Yemen that has resulted in one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

Congress had passed the measures with support from both parties after Trump used an emergency declaration to allow $8.1 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E. and other countries over congressional objections.

Trump vetoed the measures on July 24, saying that blocking the sales “would weaken America’s global competitiveness and damage the important relationships we share with our allies and partners.” It was the third veto of his administration and the second related to Saudi Arabia.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a key Trump ally who has clashed with the president on this issue, had said last week that he wasn’t optimistic the override effort would succeed.

“I doubt that’ll happen but we’ll try,” said Graham of South Carolina.

The day after Trump issued his vetoes, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced a new measure that would halt arms sales to the kingdom and impose sanctions on those found responsible for Khashoggi’s killing, including Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman if he is found to have played a role in the murder. The measure is sponsored by Menendez and three Republicans, including Graham.

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[mitchelweafer]

Couldn’t read half the stuff in the video cause of ads on screen. I don’t know what message was conveyed here.

[Ceez]

Wasnt it stuff like this that Trump supporters complained about Hilary?

[almoemason]

We should not sell arms to anyone period

[timm]

Nobody's gonna bring up the fact Trump has property in Saudi Arabia?

[anzumazaki]

Trumpers if hillary - OMG WORST CRIME OF ALL TIME LOCK UP SAUDIS PUPPET
Trumpers when trump - fox news says bin salman is chill so its cool

[lindapindabelinda]

Why is he selling weapons to our enemies?

[justinjackson]

Your annotations made it difficult to watch this video. Have you even watched your own 44 second YouTube video. I’m not clicking any of your links and I wish you an all around awful day.

[Zexi]

Saudi Arabia first, right? I thought everyone was scared that Hillary would be doing this, now what happened?

[matthewpeters]

People are acting like Saudi Arabia isn’t our ally

[dennisdesapience]

traitor-trump wants his kickback badly.

[Mario]

This ass kissing of Saudi Arabia NEEDS to stop even I a Trump supporter cannot support such an action.

[Mr.PepeSilvia]

I dislike Trump but haven't we always made deals with the Saudis? To some degree at least? Legitimate question.

[lordvader]

Im afraid none of the money will be going to Baltimore.

[flintkaliber]

Everyone stay strong and connect to one another, we are in the area of discourse and chaos. All this shit is just the base of the cake.

[angelo]

Before calling for a total rupture with Saudi Arabia, Remember: the Saudis can be terrible friends. But they are friends in a region full of enemies.;)

[jlcii]

When you put a clown in the White House...

[diegot]

Should be a law not to sell out value able knowledge

[michaelward]

Missed the message with the branding over the text. FYI move that higher so your content is able to be viewed

[guitarworld]

I got more context from the title then the video. Nice

[rayreedy]

I still say this is a big MISTAKE. ARMING SAUDI ARABIA IS A LARGE MISTAKE. WHY WOULD WE ARM ANY MUSLIMS. Why would we support any muslims? Especially when they were here in 9 11 and the vegas shooting. I think they are guilty and we now have no evidence to prove it. The president has decieded to do it I pray his decision is right. But I doubt it is.