Letter to the Hon. Paul Ryan and the Hon. Kevin McCarthy - Immediate Consideration of Resolutions on Yemen and Saudi Arabia

Letter

Dear Speaker Ryan and Majority Leader McCarthy:

I am writing to urge that you bring S.J. Res. 54 and S.J. Res. 69 to the Floor for a vote immediately. These resolutions, which passed the Senate last week with strong bipartisan support, demand that the Trump Administration end its support for the disastrous Saudi-led campaign in Yemen and hold the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, respectively. S.J.Res. 54 parallels several House resolutions introduced by incoming Chairman Adam Smith and Congressman Ro Khanna, each of which you have de-privileged and refused to bring to the Floor for a vote. It is critical that the House join the Senate in taking a strong stance against American involvement in Yemen and the prolonging of the military operations there.

For more than three years, the Saudis have waged a campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi separatists. However, the result of this campaign has been an unmitigated humanitarian disaster and military stalemate. The status quo -- militarily pressuring the Houthi rebels into accepting coalition demands -- is not working. Little that Members heard in briefings last week has convinced us otherwise. Instead, we ought to be concerned that the Administration appears to remain on autopilot with regard to Yemen. The President's failure to condemn clearly and unequivocally the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the Saudi Crown Prince's blatant complicity further raises our concerns. Simply continuing as things are will not produce a better outcome. Meanwhile, the Saudi leadership continues to engage in reckless foreign policy at the expense of American interests and the stability of the Middle East and Gulf region.

I do not believe that Iran and its Houthi proxies ought to be let off the hook for their brutal actions during the conflict to date. Neither do I believe that Saudi and Emirati humanitarian efforts ought to be minimized. However, the United States is supporting one party to this conflict, and that is where we must focus our efforts to bring it to a peaceful and positive resolution.

It is time to set a new course on Yemen. We must make clear that the House stands with the Senate in demanding a change in policy and that the Administration must stand up for basic American values. This humanitarian catastrophe cries out for immediate action. If the current Republican Majority fails to take action on this issue before the end of the year, as Majority Leader I will work with incoming Chairman Engel, incoming Chairman Smith, and Rep. Khanna to bring war powers legislation to the Floor.

Sincerely,

STENY H. HOYER
House Democratic Whip

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