Senate bill demands accountability from Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi murder

A bipartisan group of Senators introduced legislation to ensure Congressional oversight of U.S. policy on Yemen and demand accountability from Saudi Arabia for the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

The Saudi Arabia Accountability and Yemen Act of 2018 would suspend weapons sales to Saudi Arabia; prohibit U.S. refueling of Saudi Coalition Aircraft engaged in the civil war in Yemen; impose sanctions on persons blocking humanitarian access in Yemen; impose sanctions for persons supporting the Houthis in Yemen; and hold accountable actors who are in violation of international war or guilty of war crimes and harm to civilians. Further, it would place mandatory sanctions on persons responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi.

“While the Trump Administration’s announcement today of sanctions on 17 Saudi individuals is a welcome step, it is far from sufficient,” Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said. “There must be a transparent, credible investigation into Khashoggi’s murder and with this bill Congress is demonstrating its commitment to accountability and human rights.”

The bill was co-sponsored by Sens. Todd Young (R-IN), Jack Reed (D-RI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

“This legislation provides the Trump administration leverage it should use to push all parties in Yemen to engage in good faith and urgent negotiations to end the civil war and address the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Our national security interests and our humanitarian principles demand nothing less,” Young said.

Reed said Saudi Arabia must be held accountable for its actions.

“Congress must demand full accountability for human rights abuses, including the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, while taking a more active role in pushing for a negotiated settlement to end the war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. This bipartisan bill is an important step in both regards,” Reed, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said.

Shaheen said it’s imperative that Congress stands on the side of human rights and democratic values.