GOP protects billions in weapons sales from Democratic retaliation
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President Trump in Abu Dhabi in May. Photo: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP
The Senate on Wednesday rejected a Democratic push to cancel over $3 billion worth of arms sales to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Why it matters: The bid to ax the arms sales came in response to Qatar's offer to gift President Trump a $400 million plane and the UAE's billion-dollar cryptocurrency deal involving a company owned by the president.
Driving the news: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) forced the votes on Wednesday. Both resolutions failed 39-56 with four Democrats in opposition.
- Murphy and Democrats argued that passing the resolutions would send a message to Qatar, the UAE and other countries that Congress will not cooperate with what they argue is Trump's corruption.
- The resolutions would have cancelled the sale of drones, helicopters, bombs and other defense materials.
The big picture: Trump's personal business dealings are becoming an increasing point of angst for Capitol Hill Democrats.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and his party launched a campaign last month to frame the Qatari offer of a new Air Force One for Trump as blatant corruption.
- A UAE-backed investment firm last month chose a stablecoin owned by Trump to facilitate a $2 billion investment deal. The news temporarily derailed a first-of-its-kind cryptocurrency regulation bill after an internal Democratic blowup.
- Trump has pushed back on concerns about the Qatari offer, arguing the jet is a gift to the U.S. and not him personally, lashing out at news organizations who have suggested the gift is for the president.
Between the lines: The resolutions introduced by Murphy were backed by top progressives and members of Schumer's leadership team.
- Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) joined Murphy in introducing the resolutions, as did Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.)
- "Both of these countries, in a variety of ways, have attempted to corrupt our political system and the president of the United States," Sanders said on the Senate floor before the vote on Wednesday.
