ARMS-WEAPONS/IRAN/SAUDI ARABIA/SENATE/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “The Senate has agreed to vote Thursday [6-20-19] on blocking President Donald Trump’s arms sale to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell laid out an agreement on the Senate floor Wednesday for senators to vote on 22 resolutions to terminate a series of weapons sales rolled out last month. Lawmakers were incensed by the administration’s announcement that it is using emergency powers to bypass Congress for $8.1 billion in weapons sales — including munitions, aircraft parts and other supplies. The sales, the administration said, are aimed at helping the countries defense themselves against Iran. Lawmakers in both parties have also sought to block arms sales over Saudi and UAE intervention in Yemen’s civil war and the Saudis’ killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. But the legislation likely won’t gain enough votes to overcome Trump’s veto.”
–Conner O’Brien, “Senate to vote on blocking Trump’s Saudi, UAE arms sales,” Politico, June 19, 2019 7:16 pm