A joint resolution to require certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-sjres-55
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2018-03-08
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Conflicts and wars

Congressional oversight

Defense spending

Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad

Food assistance and relief

Foreign aid and international relief

Iran

Middle East

Military operations and strategy

Saudi Arabia

Terrorism

Yemen
Latest action: action_date: 2018-03-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-03-08
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p>This joint resolution requires the Department of State, by 30, 180, and 360 days after this bill's enactment, to submit to Congress certifications of whether the government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking: (1) a good faith effort to conduct diplomatic negotiations to end the civil war in Yemen, and (2) appropriate measures to increase access for all Yemenis to food, fuel, and medicine. </p> <p>If the State Department is unable to certify that such government is taking such action, no federal funds may be obligated or expended for U.S. air refueling of Saudi-led coalition non-U.S. aircraft conducting missions in Yemen other than missions related to:</p> <ul> <li> al Qaeda, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria; </li> <li> Iranian terrorist activities in Yemen; </li> <li> countering the transport, assembly, or employment of Iranian ballistic missiles or components in Yemen; </li> <li> helping coalition aircraft return safely to base in emergency situations; or </li> <li> force protection of U.S. aircraft or personnel.</li> </ul>

tv_txt: IIA 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. J. RES. 55 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 8, 2018 Mr. Young (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen ) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations JOINT RESOLUTION To require certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia in Yemen, and for other purposes.

1. Certifications regarding actions by Saudi Arabia in Yemen (a) Initial certification Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a certification whether the Government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking— (1) an urgent and good faith effort to conduct diplomatic negotiations to end the civil war in Yemen; and (2) appropriate measures to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen by increasing access for all Yemenis to food, fuel, and medicine. (b) Subsequent certifications Not later than 180 and 360 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a certification whether the Government of Saudi Arabia is undertaking the efforts described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a). (c) Restriction If the Secretary of State is unable under subsections (a) and (b) to certify that the Government of Saudi Arabia is taking demonstrable action as described in subsection (a), no Federal funds may be obligated or expended for United States air refueling of Saudi-led coalition non-United States aircraft conducting missions in Yemen other than missions related to— (1) al Qaeda, al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS); (2) Iranian terrorist activities in Yemen; (3) countering the transport, assembly, or employment of Iranian ballistic missiles or components in Yemen; (4) helping coalition aircraft return safely to base in emergency situations; or (5) force protection of United States aircraft or personnel. (d) Form of certifications The certifications required under subsections (a) and (b) shall be written, detailed, and submitted in unclassified form. (e) Appropriate committees of Congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.