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[Senate Document 116-4]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

116th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - Senate Document 116-4

 
 
                             VETO--S.J. RES. 7

                                (PM 10)

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from
 
                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITEDS TATES

                               returning

   WITHOUT MY APPROVAL 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

GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

               April 29, 2019.--Ordered to be printed

                                   ______
		 
                     U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 
		 
89-011                    WASHINGTON : 2019                 

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. 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.

                                  [all]
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