Smith Statement Condemning House Republicans’ Decision to Block Floor Debate on Yemen War Powers Resolution
November 14, 2018
Washington, DC – House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith released the following statement after House Republican leadership blocked debate on a bipartisan privileged resolution led by Representatives Smith, Ro Khanna, and Mark Pocan:
“The decision by House Republicans to deprivilege the Yemen resolution undermines the responsibility of Congress to have a transparent debate on U.S. engagement in the civil war in Yemen. As the Yemeni people face the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, the urgency and need for Congressional attention could not be greater.
“There are no easy answers to finding a peaceful resolution to the civil war in Yemen. However, ducking the debate in Congress on what role the U.S. should have in Yemen undermines a Congressional imperative to examine the issue. A Democratic majority in the new Congress must reassert close oversight regarding Yemen.”