U.S. Senate votes to block arm sales to Saudi Arabia

The United States Senate passed resolutions on Thursday to block arm sales to Saudi Arabia, with the bills now set to move to the House of Representatives where they are also expected to get approved. However, President Donald Trump will likely veto the resolutions and Congress will lack the numbers to override his decision.

The arms sales vote follows a previous disapproval by Congress of White House policy towards Saudi Arabia, with lawmakers having passed a measure against the Saudi war on Yemen this year. Trump also vetoed that bill. In addition to the high death toll in Yemen, lawmakers have been angered by the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year. Trump has backed the Saudi monarchy in the fallout.

Several Republicans joined with the Democrats to pass the latest resolutions on the arms sales in the Senate, though the majority of Trump's party stayed loyal to the White House. The Democrats hold the majority in the House.

Saudi Arabia is a key regional rival of Iran, as Trump continues to up pressure on Tehran. Democrats have increasingly expressed concern the administration may take military action against Iran.    (dpa)