According to a message to Congress released Tuesday, the Trump administration has approved an additional $ 290 million of precision-controlled bomb sales to Saudi Arabia.
The State Department approved the sale of 3,000 Boeing-made GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb I (SDB I) ammunition and related equipment, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency’s notice.
The sale announced Tuesday is in addition to a license recently approved by the Trump administration that would allow Raytheon to sell Saudi Arabia 7,500 of its Paveway air-to-ground “smart” bombs directly for an estimated value of $ 478. million.
The arms deals come even as lawmakers from both sides increasingly oppose the sale of the Saudi weapons amid thousands of civilian casualties in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Many lawmakers also reached their breaking point with the kingdom when a Saudi hit squad murdered and dismembered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
But President Trump
Donald Trump Trump calls for an end to ‘religious persecution worldwide’ on 850th anniversary of Thomas Becket’s death Michael Cohen interview raises questions after he names prison friends ‘Tony Meatballs and Big Minty’ Ocasio-Cortez who oppose both Democrats and Republicans who resist, 000 MORE direct payments has made arms sales to the kingdom an integral part of its foreign policy, arguing that they are necessary to counter Iran and boost jobs at US arms manufacturers.
Last year, the Trump administration pushed for an “emergency” arms sale of $ 8.1 billion to the Saudis, which lawmakers had blocked through an informal process. Congress eventually passed bipartisan resolutions to block those sales, but Trump vetoed.
Democrats sued that secretary of state Mike Pompeo
Mike PompeoBiden Calls for Modernization of US Defense Following Massive Hack of Trump’s Legacy: An Enduring Contempt for the Truth? Nothing gets better for Donald Trump’s presidency than leaving the MORECalling emergency authorities inappropriately circumvented Congressional oversight authorities. The State Department Inspector General later found that Pompeo was within his power to push sales, but blamed him for not ensuring that American weapons were not used against the civilian population.
For the deal announced Tuesday, the government argued in the announcement that the sale would “ support U.S. foreign policy and national security goals by helping improve the security of a friendly country that remains a key force for political stability and security. economic growth in the US. Middle East.”
“The proposed sale will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to meet current and future threats by increasing its stocks of long-range, precision air-to-ground munitions. The size and accuracy of the SDB I provides effective ammunition with less collateral damage, ”the report said.
With Tuesday’s announcement, a 30-day clock begins in which lawmakers can block sales if they wish.
That puts the deadline at the start of Biden’s administration, which could also stop the sale if desired. Elected president Joe Biden
Michigan mayor Joe Biden draws criticism with Facebook posts suggesting rebellion: Trump report names Roisman acting SEC chairman Biden Interior nominee discusses environmental injustice with tribal leaders MORE has vowed to review the US’s relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The Trump administration has advanced billions of dollars in arms sales in the closing days of Trump’s tenure, including a $ 23 billion arms package for the United Arab Emirates.
In addition to Saudi arms sales, the Trump administration announced on Tuesday approvals for the sale to Kuwait and Egypt.
For Kuwait, the government approved the sale of eight AH-64E Apache helicopters worth $ 4 billion and $ 200 million in spare parts to upgrade its Patriot anti-missile system.
Egypt was cleared to purchase a missile defense system for its $ 104 million presidential plane and 20 military aircraft target pods worth $ 65.6 million.