Sen. Merkley Response on Yemen War and Saudi Arms Deal

On September 21, 2016, the Senate defeated a measure (71-27) to block the $1.15 billion pending arms sale to Saudi Arabia. FCNL lobbied in support of the Murphy-Paul measure (S.J. Res. 39) to block the arms sale to Saudi Arabia, along with groups like Oxfam, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the American Friends Service Committee.

Going forward, FCNL will continue to lobby senators to support S.J. Res. 32, a bipartisan bill to condition the transfer of bombs to Saudi Arabia on Saudi Arabia meeting civilian protection standards. As part of this effort, FCNL will be posting constituent response letters from senators on the Saudi arms deal vote and S.J.Res. 32. Below is Senator Merkley's constituent response letter on the topic, noting that while he did vote against blocking the arms deal to Saudi Arabia, he is concerned about Saudi Arabia's bombing of civilian targets in Yemen and given those concerns, has cosponsored S.J. Res. 32.

Thank you for sharing your concerns with me regarding arms deals between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. I appreciate you raising this issue. As you may know, on August 9 the State Department approved the sale of tanks and other military equipment to Saudi Arabia valued at approximately $1.15 billion. The Arms Export Control Act of 1976 gives Congress the authority to block the sale of weapons transfers. I am pleased that the Senate had a chance to debate and vote on this sale.

I share some of your concerns about Saudi Arabia's actions in the conflict in Yemen, particularly the bombings of civilian targets. That said, I did not vote to block this specific sale for several reasons. This particular weapons transfer does not include air-to-ground munitions. I have co-sponsored S.J. Res. 32, which would require the President to certify that Saudi Arabia is taking appropriate and necessary steps to limit civilian casualties prior to a sale of air-to-ground munitions.

I believe we must look carefully at our relationship with Saudi Arabia. I am troubled by the Kingdom's tacit support of extremism around the world, and their human rights abuses and treatment of women. At the same time, Saudi Arabia has been an important ally in the Middle East since before World War II and they remain an important counterweight to Iran. They have shared intelligence that has thwarted at least one major terror attack.

Thank you, again, for sharing you concerns with me on this important issue. I hope you will continue to write me about issues that are most important to you.

All my best,

Jeffrey A. Merkley
United States Senator

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