Senate to Vote This Week to Block UAE Arms Sales, Lawmaker Says

The Senate is expected to vote this week on resolutions to reject proposed military sales to the United Arab Emirates, which include billions of dollars worth of F-35 fighter jets, drones and related equipment (see 2011130022). Opposition to the sales is being led by Sens. Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Chris Murphy, D-Conn.; and Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who said last month the sales may damage U.S. national security.

“It’s ripe. It’s ready, it has privilege on the floor,” Menendez, speaking to reporters last week, said of the resolutions. “We are gathering support for it and I would think sometime next week.” Menendez didn’t say whether the resolutions will receive significant Republican support. “I hope so,” he said.