Trump’s decision to sell weapons in a way intended to bypass congressional review infuriated lawmakers.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed a trio of congressional resolutions aimed at blocking his administration from bypassing Congress and selling billions of dollars in weapons and maintenance support to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month cited threats from Iran as a reason to approve the $8.1 billion arms sale to the two U.S. allies in the Persian Gulf, which are enemies of Tehran.

But Trump’s decision in May to sell the weapons in a way intended to bypass congressional review infuriated lawmakers. Democrats and Republicans in the Senate banded together to introduce resolutions to block the weapons sale in what was viewed as a bipartisan pushback to Trump’s foreign policy.

The White House had argued that stopping the sale would send a signal that the United States doesn’t stand by its partners and allies, particularly at a time when threats against them are increasing. The arms package included thousands of precision-guided munitions, other bombs and ammunition and aircraft maintenance support.

Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led the effort, but he had support from two of Trump’s GOP allies in Congress: Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Rand Paul of Kentucky. Read more

Read also: Schiff: Mueller investigation showed Trump’s ‘disloyalty to country’

Trump’s decision to sell weapons in a way intended to bypass congressional review infuriated lawmakers.

Trump’s decision to sell weapons in a way intended to bypass congressional review infuriated lawmakers.

Trump’s decision to sell weapons in a way intended to bypass congressional review infuriated lawmakers.

Trump’s decision to sell weapons in a way intended to bypass congressional review infuriated lawmakers.

Trump’s decision to sell weapons in a way intended to bypass congressional review infuriated lawmakers.