Trump vetoes resolution to end US role in Yemen war
Washington: US President Donald Trump has vetoed a resolution passed by Congress to end support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, describing the congressional measure as an “unnecessary” and “dangerous” attempt to weaken his constitutional powers.
It was the second time during his presidency that he has vetoed a congressional motion. Last month, Trump vetoed a motion which disapproved of his emergency declaration to erect barriers along the country’s southern border, CNN reported.
“This resolution is an unnecessary, dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today and in the future,” Trump said in a statement after he had vetoed the measure on Tuesday.
The President said the measure was unnecessary because, apart from counter-terrorism operations against Al Qaeda and against the Islamic State on the Arabian Peninsula, the US was not actively participating in hostilities in Yemen.
Trump said that there were no US troops “commanding, participating or accompanying” Saudi coalition forces fighting against Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Supporters of the War Powers Resolution — which limits the President’s ability to send troops into action — say that the US shouldn’t be involved in the war without explicit permission from Congress. Opponents of the measure, however, say the US does not have “boots on the ground” and was offering non-combat technical assistance to Saudi Arabia, an ally.
Opposition in Congress to Trump’s policy on Yemen grew last year after Saudi agents killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
The House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Democrats, passed the resolution on Yemen at the beginning of April by 245 votes to 175, while the Senate did the same weeks earlier with 54 in favour and 46 against the motion.
Both the House and Senate require two-thirds majorities to reverse Trump’s veto.
House Speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, was among those to condemn Trump for the move.
“The conflict in Yemen is a horrific humanitarian crisis that challenges the conscience of the entire world. Yet the President has cynically chosen to contravene a bipartisan, bicameral vote of the Congress and perpetuate America’s shameful involvement in this heartbreaking crisis,” she said in a statement.
“This conflict must end, now. The House of Representatives calls on the President to put peace before politics, and work with us to advance an enduring solution to end this crisis and save lives.”
