White House threatens veto of Senate's Yemen bill

The White House is threatening a presidential veto of a bipartisan Senate resolution that would direct the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities in Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.

"The fundamental premise of S.J. Res. 54 is flawed -- United States forces are not engaged in hostilities between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi forces in Yemen," a statement of administration policy reads. "Since 2015, the United States has provided limited support to member countries of the Emirati and Saudi-led coalition, including intelligence sharing, logistics, and, until recently, aerial refueling. This support is provided in accordance with licenses and approvals under the Arms Export Control Act, statutory authorities to provide logistics support, and the President's constitutional powers. United States counterterrorism operations and an October 2016 strike on radar facilities in Houthi-controlled territory, which was the subject of a prior report consistent with the War Powers Resolution of 1973, are separate matters.

"Other than those engagements, no United States forces have been introduced into hostilities, or into situations where hostilities are clearly imminent, in connection with ongoing support to the Saudi-led coalition," the statement continues. "As a result, this United States support does not implicate the War Powers Resolution."

Additionally, the White House contends that such a resolution "would harm bilateral relationships in the region and negatively impact the ability of the United States to prevent the spread of violent extremist organizations such as al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS in Yemen. The continued cooperation of the United States allows the administration to support diplomatic negotiations to end the war, ensure humanitarian access, enhance efforts to recover United States hostages in Yemen, and defeat terrorists that seek to harm the United States.

"Accordingly, if S.J. Res. 54 were presented to the President in its current form, his advisors would recommend that he veto the joint resolution," the statement concludes.

The Senate voted 63-37 yesterday to allow the measure to come to the floor.

Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) said during an interview on MSNBC's Morning Joe earlier today that the resolution "is a national security interest. This is a humanitarian interest. We have to demand better behavior from the Saudis."