WASHINGTON, DC — This morning, Demand Progress launched a whip tool that invites everyday people to see where their representatives stand on the Yemen War Powers Resolution, and participate in gathering information to build out the tool. This tool is being shared with millions of voters across the country, who have begun calling, emailing, and tweeting at their Members of Congress to determine their position on the WPR.
This follows a recent announcement that Sen. Bernie Sanders will bring the Yemen War Powers Resolution (S.J.Res.56) forward for a floor vote next week. If passed, the resolution would end unauthorized U.S. military support for Saudi Arabia’s brutal war in Yemen, in which over 400,000 Yemeni civilians have died.
Demand Progress Foreign Policy Advisor Cavan Kharrazian provided the following statement on the launch of the tool and the current state of the Yemen WPR:
“The ceasefire in Yemen expired in October, and without a renewed peace agreement, Saudi Arabia could resume its bombing campaign in Yemen with crucial U.S. assistance. With uncertainty over what legislation will be able to pass in next year’s Congress, this could be the last opportunity to pass the Yemen War Powers Resolution.
“We launched this ‘whip tool’ today inviting activists across the country to participate in crowdsourcing critical intel that will help build pressure on the Senate in this key moment.
“The Senate has a huge opportunity to stand up and stop our complicity in the suffering in Yemen by supporting a War Powers Resolution. We should not be providing political or military support for the Saudi regime. An end to U.S. support for the Saudi war effort will dramatically increase the prospects for a peace deal to end the war.”
President Biden has called for Congress to lead the way to levy consequences on Saudi Arabia for its collusion with Russia to manipulate global energy markets leading up to the U.S. midterm elections. Additionally, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman continues to enjoy impunity for the murder of Washington Post Journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This is a direct opportunity for the Senate to provide a strong, but measured response to Saudi Arabia’s malign activity.
The launch of this tool builds on a wave of energy from Demand Progress and a coalition of 100+ national organizations pushing for the passage of the Yemen War Powers Resolution. Following reporting that Sen. Sanders intends to force a vote on the WPR, the diverse, bipartisan coalition sent a letter to Congress calling for swift passage of the resolution. Demand Progress has played a critical role in driving this campaign forward with over 100,000 contacts made by affiliated activists to Congress this year in support of the WPR.