Trump Vetoes Congressional Effort To Block Saudi Arms Sales

President Trump's decision infuriated many Democrats and Republicans in the Senate (Picture: US Army).

US President Donald Trump has vetoed a trio of congressional resolutions aimed at blocking his administration from bypassing Congress and selling billions of dollars in weapons and maintenance support to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Last month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited threats from Iran as a reason to approve the $8.1bn (£6.5bn) arms sale to the two US allies in the Persian Gulf.

Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are Iranian enemies.

President Trump's decision infuriated many Democrats and Republicans in the Senate alike.

Politicians banded together to introduce resolutions to block the weapons sale in what was viewed as a bipartisan pushback to President Trump's foreign policy.

The White House argued that stopping the sale would send a signal that the United States does not stand by its partners and allies, particularly at a time when threats against them are increasing.

The arms package included thousands of precision-guided munitions, other bombs and ammunition and aircraft maintenance support.

Senator Bob Menendez, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led the effort, but he had support from two of President Trump's Republican allies in Congress, Lindsey Graham and Rand Paul.

"The President's shameful veto tramples over the will of the bipartisan, bicameral Congress and perpetuates his administration's involvement in the horrific conflict in Yemen, which is a stain on the conscience of the world," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.

It did not appear that politicians opposed to the sale had enough votes to override President Trump's veto.

Last month, members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee grilled State Department officials about the sale.

Chairman Eliot Engel said it was a "slap in the face" to Congress and accused the Trump administration of using threats from Iran as a "convenient excuse" to push through the sale.