During his first foreign trip as president of the United States, Donald Trump visited Saudi Arabia where he sealed a $110 billion arms deal for the country. The goal was to balance out power with Iran, but raised concerns among pro-Israel lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Further, the arms package has prompted serious questions about significantly helping a country with a history of funding or fostering terrorism. After all, the majority of the 9/11 hijackers came from Saudi Arabia.
A year ago the Senate voted to let 9/11 victims sue Saudi Arabia. Now we are going to sell them weapons? What are we thinking?
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 13, 2017
We should be attempting to end the aquisition of ballistic missiles from both Iran and Saudi Arabia not fueling an arms race.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 13, 2017
Tuesday afternoon the Senate will vote on a resolution, introduced by Republican Senator Rand Paul, to block the deal.
During interviews with Fox News and Bloomberg Tuesday morning, Paul said the votes on the resolution were close. In other words, the deal could be blocked. He also took to the Senate floor urging his colleagues to join him in opposition to the arms proposal.
I don't think we should sell arms to Saudi Arabia if it might wind up in the hands of ISIS and if they punish people for protests... pic.twitter.com/JP1VV1zWRz
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) June 13, 2017
Democrat Minority Leader Chuck Schumer will join Paul to back the resolution. A number of human rights organizations have also called on lawmakers to support blocking the deal.
A vote is schedule for 2:30 pm ET.