CMEP Action Alert: Ask Your Representative to Cosponsor the Yemen War Powers Resolution

CMEP Action Alert: Ask Your Representative to Cosponsor the Yemen War Powers Resolution

Since 2015, the Saudi-led war and blockade in Yemen has pushed millions to the brink of famine and helped cause  what the United Nations has described as one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. Over 16 million people are food insecure, and malnutrition rates for women and children are higher in Yemen than almost anywhere else in the world. From the beginning, the coalition, led by Saudi Arabia, has had the backing of the United States, the U.K., France, and Canada. In 2019, bipartisan majorities in both the House and the Senate passed a Yemen War Powers Resolution, which was ultimately vetoed by then President Trump.

In February 2021, President Biden promised to end U.S. support for the “offensive operations” in Yemen. Despite this promise, the United States continues to provide critical forms of military support, including maintenance and spare parts to the Saudi-led coalition and is directly contributing to the ongoing suffering of the Yemeni people. Congress must hold the Biden Administration accountable and demand an immediate end to U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Congress has never authorized U.S. military involvement in Yemen. On June 1, 2022, with the Saudi led war in Yemen having completed its seventh year, Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA), Peter DeFazio (OR), Adam Schiff (CA), and Nancy Mace (SC), introduced a new bi-partisan Yemen War Powers Resolution, HJRes 87, which already has 41 total cosponsors. Due to the special nature of a War Powers Resolution, this legislation will get a vote within 15 legislative days of its introduction.

Right now, over 21 million people in Yemen are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Instead of continuing to support the Saudi-led coalition, the Biden Administration must advance policies that will help bring stability and meet the humanitarian needs of the Yemeni people. It is Congress’ responsibility to hold the Biden Administration and Saudi Arabia accountable by passing the Yemen War Powers Resolution.

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