A general view of the U.S. Capitol, Washington, U.S. October 28, 2021. REUTERS Al Drago File Photo
WASHINGTON, December 7, Reuters -- The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Tuesday that would have banned the sale of advanced medium range air-to- air missiles, missile launchers and other weapons and support to Saudi Arabia.
The 67 to 30 vote was taken against the resolution, which was introduced by Republicans Rand Paul and Mike Lee, as well as Bernie Sanders, who caucus with Democrats.
Members of Congress have criticized Saudi Arabia for its involvement in the war in Yemen, a conflict considered one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, despite the fact that many U.S. lawmakers consider Saudi Arabia an important partner in the Middle East.
In a speech urging support for resolution of disapproval, Sanders said that if more missiles are sent to Saudi Arabia, it will only increase the conflict and put more fuel on already raging fire.
They refused to approve military sales for the kingdom without assurances that U.S. equipment would not be used to kill civilians. The sale backers said that President Joe Biden's administration has already barred U.S. sales of offensive weapons to Saudi Arabia.
I agree with the need to hold Saudi leadership accountable for a variety of actions. Democratic senator Bob Menendez, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that it is important that our security partners know that we will uphold our commitments.
The weapons package, approved by the State Department as well as the leaders of the Senate and House foreign affairs committees, would include 280 AIM 120 C -- 8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles AMRAAM 596 LAU -- 128 Missile Rail Launchers MRL along other equipment and support, as well as 280 AIM -- 120 C -- 8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles AMRAAM 596 LAU -- 128 Missile Rail Launchers MRL along other equipment and support
The Biden administration strongly opposed the resolution earlier on Tuesday.
Passage would undermine the president's commitment to aid in our partner's defenses, as a result of increased missile and drone attacks against civilians in Saudi Arabia, the White House Office of Management of Budget said in a statement.