Article Image

IPFS News Link • Foreign Policy

Top Dems Pivot Against Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia After Oil Production Cut

• https://libertarianinstitute.org by Kyle Anzalone

For years, some senators, such as Rand Paul (R-KY) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have demanded an end to US weapon sales to Saudi Arabia over Riyadh's war in Yemen, internal human rights abuses and the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. 

"Enough is enough," Menendez said in a statement on Monday, voicing outrage after OPEC+ announced a significant cut to oil production despite calls from Washington to help boost the global supply.

The reduction in energy output by 2 million barrels per day is expected to increase US gas prices ahead of next month's midterm elections, prompting complaints and condemnation from American lawmakers. 

Last week, three Democrats in the House – Susan Wild (PA), Sean Casten (IL) and Tom Malinowski (NJ) – said the oil cut was a "hostile act" by Saudi Arabia and the UAE and marked a "turning point" in relations, even introducing a bill seeking to end US military support to both countries.

Senators Menendez and Murphy echoed their colleagues' demand to end arms sales this week. Menendez, who chairs the influential Senate Foreign Relations Committee, suggested the oil production cut would aid Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, saying "I will not green light any cooperation with Riyadh until the Kingdom reassesses its position with respect to the war in Ukraine." 


JonesPlantation