Rep. Slotkin Votes to Remove U.S. Military Forces from Yemen

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, (MI-08), today voted to support H.J. Res 37, which directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress, except those engaged in operation directed at al-Qaeda or its associated forces.

The bill would remove U.S. military forces from Yemen and prohibit U.S. forces from supporting the ongoing Saudi air campaign, including through in-air refueling efforts. It directs the President to remove forces within 30 days, unless Congress authorizes a later withdrawal date or specifically authorizes the use of the Armed Forces.

"When I served as acting Assistant Secretary of Defense, the Pentagon had already begun pulling back its support to the Saudi Air Force because they refused to improve targeting procedures in Yemen, even as it became clear they were hitting civilian targets," Slotkin said. "This bill severs our support for that kind of behavior while not restricting our own counter-terrorism missions focused on al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda affiliates in Yemen. It is a long time coming, and represents a positive step forward to maintaining principled American engagement with our allies."

The Yemeni civil war has cost more than 10,000 lives, displaced millions of people, and sparked a cholera outbreak infecting more than a million Yemenis.