Congress

US Congress Vote Overshadows Saudi Prince's White House Welcome

The recent U.S. Senate joint resolution follows a similar House effort that passed in 2017.

US Congress Vote Overshadows Saudi Prince's White House Welcome
Getty Images
SMS

The crown prince of Saudi Arabia might've received a warm welcome from President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. But in Congress, the reaction was a little mixed.

"This war in Yemen, in my view, has been a humanitarian disaster as a result of Saudi intervention," Sen. Bernie Sanders said.

On Tuesday, Sanders defended a resolution to remove U.S. soldiers from Yemen who are there for any reason other than fighting Al-Qaeda. The Senate voted to table the resolution, putting it off until a later date.

UK To Sell 48 Jets To Saudi Arabia Despite Role In Yemen's Civil War
UK To Sell 48 Jets To Saudi Arabia Despite Role In Yemen's Civil War

UK To Sell 48 Jets To Saudi Arabia Despite Role In Yemen's Civil War

Saudi Arabia is backing the deposed Sunni government in Yemen in a civil war that has claimed thousands of lives.

LEARN MORE

But, that might not be the end of it. There's a lot of hand-wringing from Congress and from experts alike about the U.S. role in the Saudi-led coalition's operations in Yemen.

That's because of mounting civilian casualties from coalition airstrikes as well as a brutal blockade from the coalition that's contributed to a widespread famine and helped stoke a massive cholera outbreak.

The U.S. supports Saudi Arabia and its allies with refueling missions, intelligence-sharing and military advice.

Senators like Sanders, Mike Lee and Chris Murphy — who all backed the joint resolution that was tabled — want the U.S. support to stop.