Yemen War Powers Resolution - S.J.Res 54 Resources
VOTE UPDATE - ON MARCH 20, 44 Senators supported a vote to move the resolution to the full Senate. Therefore, the resolution remains in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, rather than receiving a full vote.
On February 28, Senate Joint Resolution 54 (S.J.Res 54) was introduced, "To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." The bipartisan measure, offered by Bernard Sanders (I-Vermont) with two original co-sponsors Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Christopher Murphy (D-Conn), had 14 co-sponsors as of March 20.
The resolution specifically calls out U.S. aerial targeting assistance and refueling for the Saudi-led coalition that has engaged in the war in Yemen, where a humanitarian crisis now exists with millions facing starvation. S.J.Res. 54 does not limit U.S. forces active against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
On March 8. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced S.J.Res 55 "to require certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia is Yemen," taking a different approach to the issue that S.J.Res 54 supporters argue would be ineffective at altering Saudi behavior.
Forum-listed experts* to contact on this subject include Kate Kizer (Win Without War), Kate Gould (Friends Committee on National Legislation), William Hartung (Center for International Policy).
Key resources include:
Select civil society resources:
Additional Forum on the Arms Trade resources:
On February 28, Senate Joint Resolution 54 (S.J.Res 54) was introduced, "To direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." The bipartisan measure, offered by Bernard Sanders (I-Vermont) with two original co-sponsors Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Christopher Murphy (D-Conn), had 14 co-sponsors as of March 20.
The resolution specifically calls out U.S. aerial targeting assistance and refueling for the Saudi-led coalition that has engaged in the war in Yemen, where a humanitarian crisis now exists with millions facing starvation. S.J.Res. 54 does not limit U.S. forces active against Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
On March 8. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced S.J.Res 55 "to require certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia is Yemen," taking a different approach to the issue that S.J.Res 54 supporters argue would be ineffective at altering Saudi behavior.
Forum-listed experts* to contact on this subject include Kate Kizer (Win Without War), Kate Gould (Friends Committee on National Legislation), William Hartung (Center for International Policy).
Key resources include:
- S.J.Res 54 text and status
- "Why Congress must vote on the United States' role in Yemen," opinion editorial by Mike Lee, Bernie Sanders and Chris Murphy, Washington Post, Feb 28
- Letter from Secretary of Defense Mattis, March 14, opposing the resolution, via Washington Post
- General Counsel of the Department of Defense, Feb 27 letter opposing the resolution, embedded in Huffington Post article
- S.J. Res 55 text and status
- H.Res 599 text - a non-binding resolution passed in the House of Representatives on Nov 13, 2017 by a vote of 366-30 that includes: "Congress has not enacted specific legislation authorizing the use of military force against parties participating in the Yemeni civil war that are not otherwise subject to the Authorization of Use of Military Force (Public Law 107–40) or the Authorization of Use of Military Force in Iraq (Public Law 107–243)"
Select civil society resources:
- Statements on vote result (March 20): Win Without War (Kate Kizer), FCNL (Katte Gould), Oxfam America (Scott Paul).
- Letter from 55 organizations in support of the resolution
- Eric Eikenberry and Kate Kizer, "The Lesson the Trump Administration has Failed to Learn about Yemen," Just Security, March 12
- William Hartung, "How the US can bring an end to the war in Yemen," CNN, March 7
- "The Legality of U.S. Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia for Use in Yemen," Oona Hathaway, Aaron Haviland, Srinath Reddy Kethireddy, Alexandra Francis and Alyssa Yamamoto, Just Security, March 7
- William Hartung, "Case Study: Saudi Arabia and the Promise of Jobs," CIVIC/Stimson, Jan. 10
Additional Forum on the Arms Trade resources:
- Resource Page - Trump & Saudi Arms Sales
- Resource Page - (House) Yemen War Powers Resolution - H.Con.Res 81, introduced in 2017. H.Res 599 (see above) was agreed at that time instead.
* 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.