Last week, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul decided to take a stand against Saudi Arabia. He was joined by Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Mike Lee of Utah. Together, they issued a joint resolution of disapproval to block proposed U.S. arms sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to the press release, this weapons sale to Saudi Arabia included 280 air-to-air missiles and 596 missile launchers. Other sophisticated weapons were included, as well as associated training and support. The entire cost was estimated to be approximately $650 billion.
The three senators were not pleased at all, not in the slightest.
“As the Saudi government continues to wage its devastating war in Yemen and repress its own people, we should not be rewarding them with more arms sales,” Sen. Sanders said in the press release.
“The war in Yemen is a humanitarian tragedy, and U.S. participation in this war remains undeclared by Congress. The administration’s proposed arms sale to Saudi Arabia contradicts the President’s own stated policy. I am proud to once again stand with my colleagues and push back on unconstitutional support of this war,” said Sen. Lee.
Sen. Rand Paul had an especially scathing rebuke of the deal.
“A message needs to be sent to Saudi Arabia that we don’t approve of their war with Yemen,” Sen. Paul said. “By participating in this sale, we would not only be rewarding reprehensible behavior, but also exacerbating a humanitarian crisis in Yemen. I urge Congress and the Biden Administration to consider the possible consequences of this sale that could accelerate an arms race in the Middle East and jeopardize the security of our military technologies.”
Previously, the Biden administration declared plans to cease support in the war in Yemen. He cited ending the war in Yemen as an integral part of his foreign policy. However, little action has been taken to put that plan into action. As such, Saudi Arabia has continued its fuel blockade on Yemen, which has worsened the humanitarian crisis in the country. The blockade is jeopardizing the flow of food to as many as 13 million people, according to Reuters.
The three senators deserve a lot of credit for issuing this resolution. By permitting this sale, the United States would be enabling the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. As many people in the country starve, Saudi Arabia has led a fuel blockade of Yemen, preventing food and water from getting to people who desperately need them. Sen. Rand Paul continues to put conscience over profit. This time, he was able to get Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Mike Lee to join him.
