February 13, 2019

Rep. Al Lawson Votes to Minimize Violence in Yemen

WASHINGTON, D.C- Today, U.S Rep Al Lawson (FL-05) joined House Democrats in passing a War Powers Resolution on Yemen (H.J.Res. 37), which calls for the removal of U.S. troops from Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress. The resolution calls for their removal within 30 days after becoming law. It also condemns the nearly four-year old conflict in Yemen that has killed thousands of civilians and caused widespread famine.

“As the Yemeni Civil War continues, we must ensure that our Armed Forces are not unnecessarily placed in harm’s way,” Rep. Lawson said. “The situation in Yemen is one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern history. The conflict has already hit an already poor country hard, and immediate action is needed to prevent further loss of life.”   

There have been several efforts at peace talks in Yemen over the past few years. The United Nations currently has a monitored ceasefire that remains tenuous and fragile. The resolution passed today, by a vote of  248-177, aims to minimize airstrikes in the country.

Last December, the Senate passed a virtually identical War Powers Resolution on Yemen by a bipartisan vote of 56 to 41. The Senate-passed joint resolution is essentially identical to H.J.Res. 37. 

 

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