Murkowski Backs Diplomatic Solution in Yemen, Rejects Yemen War Resolution
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) issued the following statement after voting against S.J. Res. 54, the Yemen War Powers Resolution, which passed the Senate by a vote of 56-41. Separately, the Senate passed by unanimous consent S.J. Res 69, a joint resolution supporting a diplomatic solution in Yemen and condemning the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
“The human rights abuses that are taking place in Yemen must stop, and the Kingdom must also be put on notice that assassinating journalists will not be blithely dismissed and ignored,” said Senator Murkowski. “I could not, however, support a resolution that would have undermined US strategic interests in the Middle East, emboldened Iran, and leave our country without immediate recourse should the Houthi rebels attack US defense assets and interests in the region. Ongoing peace negotiations are the right course of action towards bringing an end to the conflict in Yemen.”
