Such holds are common, and Republicans and Democrats have placed them on arms sales to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other Persian Gulf countries in recent years. But even some Republicans who opposed the measure have cautioned the president against transferring nondefensive weapons to Saudi Arabia. According to one Yemen advocate, the announcement could cover as many as 20 arms sales — and be justified by pointing to the recent escalation of U.S. tensions with Iran. “To state the obvious, there is no new emergency reason to sell bombs to Saudi Arabia to drop in Yemen,” Murphy wrote. Democrats also expressed concern that the Trump administration would not consult Congress before taking such a step.

Source: Washington Post May 23, 2019 21:53 UTC