Washington, DC—Reps. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Walter Jones (NC-03), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), and Ro Khanna (CA-17) today called for an immediate vote on S.J. Res. 54, a bipartisan resolution to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen. In a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan, the lawmakers called for Congress to fulfill its constitutional war powers responsibilities and debate and vote on whether or not US military forces should withdraw from the unauthorized and unconstitutional war in Yemen that has produced “the worst man-made humanitarian crisis of our time.”

Read the Letter to Speaker Paul Ryan Here

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said: “For the first time, the Senate has taken action towards ending US support for Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen that has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis and horrific suffering for the Yemeni people. Millions of Yemeni civilians are on the brink of starvation and lack access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed by bombs dropped on weddings, school buses, markets, and more. Congress must act to end U.S. support for this genocidal war now. Speaker Ryan must honor our Constitution and schedule a vote on this resolution immediately.”



“I applaud the Senate for taking long-overdue action to end the US role in the war in Yemen,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “Civilians have borne the brunt of this brutal war, with millions suffering from famine and cholera. It’s past time that Congress re-evaluates our complicity in these humanitarian atrocities. Speaker Ryan should stop standing in the way and allow us to hold a real debate and vote on this unauthorized, immoral war. History is watching.”



Rep. Mark Pocan said: “Despite Speaker Ryan's shameful maneuvers to prevent the House from ending the United States’ unauthorized participation in the war in Yemen, the Senate took a historic, bipartisan vote directing the President to end our involvement there. Following this overwhelming momentum, the House must act now to bring the conflict to a close.”

“As I’ve said on the House floor, you wonder why people think Congress lacks common sense? It’s because nobody understands why you’d have a vote on a farm bill and tie it to a vote on war and peace in Yemen. This is the greatest humanitarian issue of our time. Thank you to all who made their voice heard. If Speaker Ryan fails to meet the terms of this letter, just near weeks from now Democrats will vote to end United States support for the war when we are in the Majority, ” said Rep. Ro Khanna.

“I implore Speaker Ryan to let the House of representatives do its job and hold an up or down vote regarding our military involvement in the Yemen war. The Senate has acted; now the House has the responsibility to act,” said Congressman McGovern. “Every day that we fail to take action is another day of senseless violence, starvation, and misery for the people of Yemen. They cannot wait any longer. We must send a clear message to Saudi Arabia: their war is unacceptable to the international community and will not be tolerated. The United States can no longer remain a complicit partner in carrying out one of greatest humanitarian crises of our time. The House should also follow the Senate’s lead in condemning the Saudi Crown Prince and the Saudi King for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, an intolerable action against a U.S. resident and journalist on which the House has remained stunningly silent.”

“The House has a moral and constitutional responsibility to end U.S. participation in this unauthorized war, which has caused ongoing unfathomable human suffering. Today’s victories in the Senate and at the UN-brokered Yemen peace talks only underscore the need for immediate and decisive action in the House,” said Diane Randall, Executive Secretary for the Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL).

Background:

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is a leading voice for peace in Congress, advocating against counterproductive, regime-change wars. She has called for ending support for Saudi Arabia, pushed for additional oversight on acquisition and cross-service agreements (Section 1271 of the FY19 NDAA), supported H. Con. Res. 81, a bipartisan resolution that sought to stop U.S. military participation in Saudi Arabia's war against the Houthis in Yemen, bipartisan resolution (H. Con Res. 138) to stop U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia's genocidal war in Yemen, bipartisan legislation (H.R. 7082) to immediately stop all military sales and aid to the government of Saudi Arabia, and more.

Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and Walter Jones also introduced H.Res 922, which would reclaim Congress’s constitutional right to declare war by:

Defining presidential wars not declared by Congress under Article I, section 8, clause 11 (Declare War Clause) as impeachable “high crimes and misdemeanors”

Prohibiting the President from perpetuating ongoing wars or supplying war materials, military troops, trainers, or advisers, military intelligence, financial support or their equivalent in association, cooperation, assistance, or common cause without first receiving congressional authorization

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