Yemen War Powers Resolutions 2019 

H.Con.Res 81
After the Senate passed a Yemen War Powers resolution (S.J. Res 54) in 2018 near the end of the 115th Congress, the 116th Congress again took up War Powers Resolutions in late January 2019. 

On February 13, 2019, the House passed H.J. Res 37 "Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress."

On March 13, the Senate passed its version of the resolution, S. J. Res 7, " A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." The resolution went back to the House for its approval.

On April 4, the House passed S.J.Res 7 by a vote of 247-175 and 1 voting present. 

On April 16, President Trump vetoed the resolution.

On May 2, the Senate voted to override the veto by did not meet the 2/3 required to do so, which would have allow it moving to the House for a vote there.

Forum-listed experts* to contact: Kate Kizer and Stephen Miles (Win Without War)​, Scott Paul (Oxfam America), William Hartung (Arms and Security Project)

Congressional resources include:
  • S.J. Res 7 - Introduced Jan. 30 - see status, text (original - see status for latest)
  • H.J. Res 37 - Introduced Jan. 30 and approved in House on Feb 13 - see status, text 
  • Press conference, Jan. 30 ​

Select civil society resources and statements:
​Stephen Miles   Director, Win Without War ​
April 16, 2019 -- "“Sadly, the violence and suffering in Yemen continues, and Donald Trump’s apparent illingness to make the United States a client state of Saudi Arabia and the UAE will only further the tremendous human costs of that war." See full Win Without War statement.

April 4, 2019 -- "Indeed, this outcome would not have been possible without the millions of Americans who mobilized throughout the past few years to join congressional champions in calling to finally end U.S. participation in war crimes and fueling the largest, man-made humanitarian crisis in the world." See full Win Without War statement.

March 13, 2019 -- “The Senate moved the country one step closer to ending our participation in fueling one of the largest humanitarian crises the world has ever known. The House now needs to act quickly so that Congress can speak with one voice in calling on Donald Trump to end this unauthorized war in Yemen for good.” See full Win Without War​ statement.

Feb. 13, 2019 -- "Today, after years of organizing both inside and outside of Congress, the House of Representatives passed an unprecedented resolution directing the president to end unauthorized U.S. military involvement in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates’ military intervention in Yemen that has helped create the largest man-made humanitarian crisis in the world." See full Win Without War statement.
​Kate Kizer Policy Director, Win Without War
April 4, 2019 -- "The House just passed S.J.Res 7 and sent the unprecedented Yemen war powers resolution to Trump's desk. Even if he vetoes it, our movement won't stop until we halt U.S. military involvement and end this disastrous war." See full tweet.
Scott Paul   Humanitarian Policy Lead, Oxfam America ​
April 17, 2019 -- "Congress must act to keep up the pressure, and not let President Trump’s cynical, transactional and heartless brand of politics define America’s role in the world. Now Congress must act to end arms sales to all parties fighting in this brutal conflict." See full statement.

April 4, 2019 -- " The death toll is mounting and our country’s hands aren’t clean - just recently, we saw more civilians killed in Yemen as coalition airstrikes and intense fighting hit hospitals. This violence from all sides, and US support for any of it, must end now. The vote brings the issue to President Trump’s desk, where a veto would end any lingering question of where his priorities lie... Now Congress must act to end arms sales to all parties fighting in this brutal conflict" See full statement.

March 13, 2019 -- "This vote sends another strong message that US leaders are willing to take a stand for peace and political agreements that will save millions of lives in Yemen. We heard strong statements today in solidarity with the people of Yemen and calling out those who are disregarding their lives and futures in this human-made conflict. We hope the Trump administration listens and finally ends its role in Yemen’s devastating humanitarian crisis." See full statement.
ARCHIVED - As of April 15, Kate Gould is no longer in this position.
Kate Gould Legislative Director for Middle East Policy, Friends Committee on Nat'l Legislation (FCNL)
April 4, 2019 -- "This bicameral success is the strongest signal Congress has sent to date that the Saudi-led coalition must stop the slaughter and starvation of Yemeni men, women, and children," See full FCNL statement.

March 13, 2019 -- "The Senate has now taken a decisive step in ending the American facilitation of the Yemen war and the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Millions of grassroots activists, who helped make this vote a reality, want their lawmakers to end this unconscionable war." See full FCNL statement.

Feb 13, 2019 -- “Just a couple years ago, members of Congress would tell us privately that they didn’t know Saudi Arabia was waging this war, let alone that the United States was enabling it. Grassroots pressure was critical in educating members of Congress about this unauthorized war.” See full FCNL statement.
Media:
Additional Forum on the Arms Trade resources: ​
*  Inclusion on the Forum on the Arms Trade expert list does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. Please contact experts directly for further comments.