Lawmakers Look to Block US Support For Saudi-UAE War On Yemen

A bipartisan group of US politicians pledged to advance legislation in Congress that would block further support by the American military for the Saudi-UAE war against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The measure enjoys broad support among Democrats and a number of key Republicans, but would face a likely veto by President Donald Trump suggesting delays and high-level negotiations with the White House ahead.

Public opinion in the US has turned against the war because of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen as well as the murder of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Politicians supporting the measure believe they can generate enough support in Congress to overturn a presidential veto which would force Trump to apply pressure on Riyadh.

“When Yemenis see ‘Made in USA’ on the bombs that are killing them, it tells them the United States of America is responsible for this war,” Senator Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent, told reporters at a Capitol Hill press conference.

“This is not a message the United States should be sending to the world. The United States should not be supporting a catastrophic war led by a despotic Saudi regime with a dangerous and irresponsible military policy.”

A similar anti-war measure passed the Senate by a 56-41 margin in December as the prior session of Congress was winding down.