The House of Representatives have begun voting on amendments to the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. There are an estimated 441 amendments awaiting vote, and this article will be updated as more vote results become available.
Beginning on Thursday afternoon, the House began voting on amendments to the $733 billion military spending bill for 2020 (NDAA). This included a number of successful amendments aimed at limiting the US war in Yemen, and prohibiting US arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates related to this war.
Early votes were all successful. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) had two amendments passed:
Amendment 23: Blocks funding for assistance to continue hostilities in Yemen (239-187)
Amendment 24: Prohibits transfer of defense articles or services to Saudi Arabia & UAE (246-180)
These were followed by Amendment 26 from Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), which prohibited all support of Saudi military operation against Yemen’s Houthis. This too passed 240-185.
More votes are expected, though the exact order and timing of the votes is not apparent. Another foreign policy related amendment, Amendment 31 from Rep. Elliott Engel (D-NY), which called for the extension of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), passed 236-189.
A 219-210 vote on an amendment from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) set the stage for potential foreign base closures, by obligating that there be some sort of expressable rationale for why the base needs to be there.
Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Matt Gaetz (R-FL) offered an amendment on defunding any US war against Iran launched without any Congressional authorization. It passed a voice vote, but a floor vote was delayed.
Similar results ended debates on two other amendments which would end the 2001 and 2002 AUMFs. Advocates said the AUMFs were overly broad and obsolete, while opponents argued that it was dumb to even debate such issues, and that the military would want to keep such wars authorized.
Sadly, like all of our military spending bills, it doesn’t block funds from going to the deadliest terror organization on earth, the United States Military. Baby steps, I guess, but I wouldn’t vote for any bill that allocates a dime to baby killing drone strikes. Guess I’m just old fashioned that way.
Well, if you can orchestrate that congress, I’m with you all the way.
I can, but it requires a keg of dynamite and a critical mass. The first one is not a problem but the second is next to impossible to acquire on a Friday evening.
This is a show. Whenever I see the good cop-bad cop routine, makes me wonder what is going on. And Saudi Arabia is at the epicenter of it. Why just “limit” war, why not end all involvement? Because our agenda is hidden, and nobody is asking what are we doing there. And so much demonization of Saudis is not a morality exercise— it is all about Iran, and other displeasing moves Saudis are undertaking.
Without Saudis and UAE there can be no war on Iran. US without Arab ally — it makes no sense, Iran is supposed to bother the region — and suddenly no ine cares about it?
So, all the itching about Saudis and Yemen is a noise — pushing Saudis into alliance against Iran. But Saudis will lose China, Russia, Turkey and most of Moslem Asia. And that is Saudi economic lifeline. This is why US is hanging out around Yemen — threatening Saudis with possible closure of Bab Al Mandeb. It is all about Israel and Iran. The whole show in the Congress, with Trump playing nicety nice — but will take money, and nit deliver weapons.
Things are tightening up, and neocons never give up. The inly question is — what outrage they will come up with next?