Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on Senate votes to block arms sales to Saudi Arabia:

“The Senate today voted to approve 22 separate resolutions of disapproval on President Trump’s arms sales to Saudi Arabia. This is the strongest rebuke of the kingdom and its leaders since I joined the Senate.

“Simply put, I cannot and will not support sales of arms to a nation that murdered a U.S. journalist, indiscriminately kills civilians in Yemen and tortures women’s rights advocates.

“The murder of Jamal Khashoggi was unconscionable. To kill an American resident after luring him to their own consulate and then do everything possible to cover it up is an astonishingly deplorable act and those responsible must be held accountable.

“The Saudi war in Yemen is also inhumane. The Saudis bear responsibility for the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent men, women and children, as does Iran. To provide additional arms that could be used to further this conflict must not happen.

“The Saudi government has also jailed and tortured women who spoke out for their rights. For these reasons, these arms sales should not be allowed to proceed.”

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