Mark Warner on Senate passage of resolution to end U.S. military aid in Saudi-led war in Yemen

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) comments on the passage of S.J.Res.54, a joint resolution to end U.S. military support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

“I voted for the resolution to end unauthorized U.S. military involvement in Yemen because I can no longer, in good conscience, support the current approach by the Saudi-led coalition in that conflict. As the years-long conflict drags on, the people of Yemen are suffering one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in the world. Despite stated commitments by the Saudis to improve the targeting of their air strikes, scores of innocent civilians continue to be killed by careless bombings, and deep lasting progress towards a negotiated end to the violence has remained elusive. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains an important partner in confronting shared threats like al-Qaeda and ISIL and in countering Iran, and we will continue to work on shared security interests, but we should be clear that the United States will not provide unconditional assistance to their operations in Yemen.

“Unfortunately, at a moment in which it is most needed, the Trump Administration has abdicated America’s moral leadership. In filling that void and in light of the actions by the Saudis both in Yemen and in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, the Senate must send a message that America’s moral voice will not be diminished.”