Trump Vetoes Bill Ending Support for Saudi Coalition in Yemen

President Donald Trump on Wednesday vetoed a bill that would require the withdrawal of U.S. military support for the coalition led by Saudi Arabia that’s fighting the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen using authority granted to Congress under the War Powers Resolution.

In his veto message, President Trump called the bill “an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities”, and explained:

“Since 2015, the United States has provided limited support to member countries of the Saudi-led coalition, including intelligence sharing, logistical support, and, until recently, in-flight refueling of non-United States aircraft… None of this support has introduced United States military personnel into hostilities.”

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), offered the following response to Trump’s veto:

“I am disappointed, but not surprised, that Trump has rejected the bi-partisan resolution to end U.S. involvement in the horrific war in Yemen. The people of Yemen desperately need humanitarian help, not more bombs. My colleagues and I will continue our efforts to reassert Congress’ constitutional responsibility over war making and end U.S. involvement in unauthorized and unconstitutional wars.”

The bill now goes back to the Senate, which may vote on an effort to override the veto after it returns from its spring recess on April 29th. If a vote is held it is likely to fail barring a significant change in the opinion of more than a dozen senators, given that the 54-46 vote in favor of its initial passage is well shy of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto.

This is the second piece of legislation President Trump has vetoed and it comes a little more than a month after his first, which was a bill to terminate his border security emergency declaration that lacked the support to override the veto.

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / lucky-photographer)