According to the vote, both resolutions, designed to block arms sales to the UAE, did not receive a simple majority. One vote was held with 46 voted for and 50 against, the second – with 47 for and 49 against.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday officially threatened to veto efforts by Congress to block its plans to sell weapons to the UAE.
The White House statement noted the sales directly support US foreign policy and national security goals, “enabling the UAE to contain Iran’s growing aggressive behavior and threats” following its recent peace deal with Israel.
Last month, the US administration notified Congress that it approved the sale of up to 50 F-35 aircraft worth $10.4 billion to the UAE, up to 18 MQ-9B drones worth $ 2.97 billion and an air-to-air munitions package and “air-to-ground” worth $10 billion.
Senators Robert Menendez, Chris Murphy and Rand Paul introduced resolutions to block the sale. Lawmakers expressed concern that arms sales to the UAE could result in US technology being transferred to China and could also undermine Israel’s military advantage in the region.
In 2019, Congress voted to block arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE amid the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Hashokji. However, then there were not enough legislative votes to overcome the president’s veto on the bill.