In Historic Yemen Vote, House Reasserts War Authority to Advance Peace

The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) celebrated House passage of S.J. Res. 7 by a 247-175 margin, requiring the President to end American military participation in the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

“Today is a historic day for peace,” said Diane Randall, FCNL’s Executive Secretary. “For the first time since the Vietnam war, Congress has sent legislation to the President’s desk that enforces the War Powers Act. People all across the country are rejoicing in the news that today, by an overwhelming margin, Congress chose peace over war.”

“This bicameral success is the strongest signal Congress has sent to date that the Saudi-led coalition must stop the slaughter and starvation of Yemeni men, women, and children,” explained Kate Gould, FCNL’s Legislative Director for Middle East Policy. “The grassroots movement that propelled this landmark legislation through Congress has generated momentum that can’t be stopped by the President’s anticipated veto, and it won’t stop until American complicity in the world’s largest humanitarian crisis ends.”

FCNL applauds Rep. Ro Khanna’s (CA-17) tireless leadership in pressing to advance the Yemen war powers resolution since he initiated the effort in 2017 with Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Rep. Thomas Massie (MI-4), and the late Rep. Walter Jones (NC-03). We are grateful for the support from Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Chairman Eliot Engel (NY-16), Chairman Jim McGovern (MA-02), Chairman Adam Smith (WA-09) and the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) to make this legislation a top priority for the 116th Congress.

FCNL is the leading faith-based organization lobbying American policymakers to end support for the Saudi-led war and the de-facto blockade of Yemen. As a Quaker organization, FCNL seeks to end war and all threats of war. To learn more, please visit www.fcnl.org.