Senate lawmakers will vote on legislation this week that will call on the Trump administration to terminate U.S. support for the war in Yemen amid a growing desire in Congress to punish Saudi Arabia for killing dissident Jamal Khashoggi.
The bill was blocked earlier this year, but Khashoggi’s death will likely push it closer to passage. Lawmakers are scheduled to receive a briefing about Khashoggi’s death and about the war in Yemen on Wednesday from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, just before the vote.
CIA Director Gina Haspel is not scheduled to attend those briefings, but GOP lawmakers want her there, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., sent a letter to Senate leaders calling on them to invite her to the meeting.
The CIA has determined Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for Khashoggi’s brutal murder in Saudi’s consulate in Turkey, although he denies any involvement.
Republicans and Democrats have since called for a tough response from President Trump, who has so far sanctioned 17 Saudi officials but has otherwise sought to preserve the relationship with the crown prince and between the two countries.
Congress will make its first move this week by attempting to pass a bill sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., which would invoke the War Powers Resolution to remove the U.S military from involvement in the fighting between Saudi-led forces and the Houthis in Yemen.
The sponsors tried to bring up the bill in March but it was pushed aside in a 55-44 vote.
This time, at least a few more lawmakers may get on board, although some who say they want to punish Saudi Arabia but don’t like the wording of the Lee-Murphy-Sanders legislation.
“I’m for suspending arm sales and all that other stuff, but what they are saying is providing logistical assistance, munitions and intel is a hostile act under the War Powers Act,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. “I don’t buy at all that would change our relationship with every ally in the world.”
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said he has not made up his mind and is waiting to hear what Mattis, Pompeo, and potentially Haspel, say at the briefing.
“I do think the briefing will be very important,” said Corker. “There has to be some price to pay, and that price to pay hasn’t occurred yet. It would really be best if they would name him as being responsible and take action themselves before Thursday.”
The vote on the bill is likely to occur either Wednesday or Thursday.
