Kaine Statement On Senate Vote On Arms Sales To Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON, D.C. -  Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on his vote to block the sale of certain arms to Saudi Arabia:

“I voted to block sale of certain arms to Saudi Arabia because I am concerned about the continued escalation of the military conflict in Yemen that has taken the lives of over 10,000 Yemeni civilians.  The war in Yemen has produced a devastating humanitarian crisis, and the country is on the brink of famine.  The sale of additional arms to Saudi Arabia for use in Yemen is not in the interests of the United States or the region.

“The Trump Administration has failed to lay out a clear policy to resolve this conflict and, while I have joined with other Members in seeking a comprehensive strategy from the Administration, the response we have received to date has been wholly inadequate to address our concerns, especially regarding expanded U.S. involvement in military operations in Yemen.   The United States and the international community should be focused on addressing the humanitarian disaster in Yemen and working towards a diplomatic solution instead of contributing to further military escalation through arms sales and risking their use in carrying out attacks in civilian areas.”

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