Senate Advances War Powers Resolution to End US Complicity in Saudi Assault on Yemen
In a historic vote that could "mark the beginning of the end of American complicity" in Saudi Arabia's mass atrocities in Yemen, the Senate on Wednesday voted to advance Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) Yemen War Powers resolution by an overwhelming margin of 63-37.
"I've been at this for three years, and I am blown away by this," wrote Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who sponsored the resolution alongside Sanders and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah.). "The Senate just voted, for the first time, to move forward with a debate on ending American involvement in the Yemen war."
According to Sanders communications director Josh Miller-Lewis, Wednesday marks "the first time the Senate has voted to advance a War Powers resolution." Every single Democratic senator joined 14 Republicans in voting to move the measure forward.
For the first time, the U.S. Senate just voted to advance a resolution withdrawing U.S. Armed Forces from an unauthorized and unconstitutional war.
Let us bring this catastrophic war in Yemen to an end, and help bring peace and humanitarian aid to this tortured country. pic.twitter.com/rbThxPXuEG
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 28, 2018
"Cutting off military aid to Saudi Arabia is the right choice for Yemen, the right choice for our national security, and the right choice for upholding the Constitution," Paul Kawika Martin, senior director for policy and political affairs at Peace Action, declared in a statement. "Three years ago, the notion of Congress voting to cut off military support for Saudi Arabia would have been politically laughable."
WE WON! 63 Senators just voted to defy Trump and advance #SJRes54 to end U.S. support for the Saudi and UAE war in #Yemen. It's about time and thanks to the tireless efforts of @SenSanders @ChrisMurphyCT @SenMikeLee. Onto to the next vote because #YemenCantWait!
— Kate Kizer (@KateKizer) November 28, 2018
GREAT NEWS: US Senate just voted overwhelmingly, 63-37, to allow debate on Sanders-Lee-Murphy bill to stop US/Saudi war in #Yemen #SJRes54. First time legislation to stop US involvement #Yemen war has advanced!!! .#YemenCantWait #JusticeForJamal pic.twitter.com/dNJzvpNv5K
— Medea Benjamin (@medeabenjamin) November 28, 2018
While applauding the unprecedented rebuke of Saudi Arabia's vicious, years-long assault on Yemen—which has been carried out with the help of U.S. weaponry and intelligence—anti-war advocates warned that there is still a long road ahead, with debate and a final vote on the measure expected as early as next week.
By a vote of 63-37, the Senate just advanced a resolution to stop US support for the illegal,immoral Saudi war in Yemen. Trump is covering up for Saudi crimes, & thousands of activists demanded their senators stop covering up for Trump. But the fight's not over yet #YemenCantWait
— Indivisible Guide (@IndivisibleTeam) November 28, 2018
By a vote of 63-37, the Senate just advanced a resolution to stop US support for the illegal,immoral Saudi war in Yemen. Trump is covering up for Saudi crimes, & thousands of activists demanded their senators stop covering up for Trump. But the fight's not over yet #YemenCantWait
— Indivisible Guide (@IndivisibleTeam) November 28, 2018
"Today's victory is a testament to the power of grassroots activism across the country to bring about change," said Diane Randall, executive secretary of the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL). "This vote sets a historic precedent for future action Congress can take to reclaim its constitutional authority over war and end American involvement in wars around the world."
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Jake Johnson is a staff writer for Common Dreams. Follow him on Twitter: @johnsonjakep