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[Pages S2483-S2484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE
______
REPORT OF THE VETO OF S.J. RES. 7, A JOINT RESOLUTION TO DIRECT THE
REMOVAL OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC
OF YEMEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED BY CONGRESS, RECEIVED DURING
ADJOURNMENT OF THE SENATE ON APRIL 17, 2019--PM 10
The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message
from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying
report, which was ordered to be printed in the Record, spread in full
upon the Journal, and held at the desk:
To the Senate of the United States:
I am returning herewith without my approval S.J. Res. 7, a joint
resolution that purports to direct the President to remove United
States Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting the Republic of
Yemen, with certain exceptions. This resolution is an unnecessary,
dangerous attempt to weaken my constitutional authorities, endangering
the lives of American citizens and brave service members, both today
and in the future.
This joint resolution is unnecessary because, apart from
counterterrorism operations against al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula
and ISIS, the United States is not engaged in hostilities in or
affecting Yemen. For example, there are no United States military
personnel in Yemen commanding, participating in, or accompanying
military forces of the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis in
hostilities in or affecting Yemen.
Since 2015, the United States has provided limited support to member
countries of the Saudi-led coalition, including intelligence sharing,
logistics support, and, until recently, in-flight refueling of non-
United States aircraft.
[[Page S2484]]
All of this support is consistent with applicable Arms Export Control
Act authorities, statutory authorities that permit the Department of
Defense to provide logistics support to foreign countries, and the
President's constitutional power as Commander in Chief. None of this
support has introduced United States military personnel into
hostilities.
We are providing this support for many reasons. First and foremost,
it is our duty to protect the safety of the more than 80,000 Americans
who reside in certain coalition countries that have been subject to
Houthi attacks from Yemen. Houthis, supported by Iran, have used
missiles, armed drones, and explosive boats to attack civilian and
military targets in those coalition countries, including areas
frequented by American citizens, such as the airport in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia. In addition, the conflict in Yemen represents a ``cheap'' and
inexpensive way for Iran to cause trouble for the United States and for
our ally, Saudi Arabia.
S.J. Res. 7 is also dangerous. The Congress should not seek to
prohibit certain tactical operations, such as in-flight refueling, or
require military engagements to adhere to arbitrary timelines. Doing so
would interfere with the President's constitutional authority as
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, and could endanger our service
members by impairing their ability to efficiently and effectively
conduct military engagements and to withdraw in an orderly manner at
the appropriate time.
The joint resolution would also harm the foreign policy of the United
States. Its efforts to curtail certain forms of military support would
harm our bilateral relationships, negatively affect our ongoing efforts
to prevent civilian casualties and prevent the spread of terrorist
organizations such as al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS, and
embolden Iran's malign activities in Yemen.
We cannot end the conflict in Yemen through political documents like
S.J. Res. 7. Peace in Yemen requires a negotiated settlement.
Unfortunately, inaction by the Senate has left vacant key diplomatic
positions, impeding our ability to engage regional partners in support
of the United Nations-led peace process. To help end the conflict,
promote humanitarian and commercial access, prevent civilian
casualties, enhance efforts to recover American hostages in Yemen, and
defeat terrorists that seek to harm the United States, the Senate must
act to confirm my nominees for many critical foreign policy positions.
I agree with the Congress about the need to address our engagements
in foreign wars. As I said in my State of the Union address in
February, great nations do not fight endless wars. My Administration is
currently accelerating negotiations to end our military engagement in
Afghanistan and drawing down troops in Syria, where we recently
succeeded in eliminating 100 percent of the ISIS caliphate.
Congressional engagement in those endeavors would be far more
productive than expending time and effort trying to enact this
unnecessary and dangerous resolution that interferes with our foreign
policy with respect to Yemen.
For these reasons, it is my duty to return S.J. Res. 7 to the Senate
without my approval.
Donald J. Trump.
The White House, April 16, 2019.
____________________
