The War in Yemen: A Compilation of Legislation in the 115th Congress

Summary

The 115th Congress continues to debate the extent and terms of the United States involvement in the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where fighting has continued unabated since March 2015. Lawmakers have questioned the extent to which successive Administrations have adhered to existing law relating to providing security assistance, including sales or transfers of defense goods and defense services, while upholding international human rights standards (e.g., 22 U.S.C. §2754 or 22 U.S.C. §2304). They also have proposed new legislation that would extend legislative oversight over the executive branch’s policy toward the war in Yemen.

This product provides a summary of all legislative proposals that the 115th Congress has considered to date regarding the conflict in Yemen. Proposed stand-alone legislation, resolutions, and amendments to wider bills [National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 2810; P.L. 115-91) and Defense appropriations (H.R. 3219/Division I, H.R. 3354)] reflect a range of congressional perspectives and priorities, including, among other things:

the authorization of the deployment of U.S. armed forces in the conflict;

the extent of U.S. logistical and intelligence support for the coalition led by Saudi Arabia;

the approval, disapproval, or conditioning of U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia;

the appropriation of funds in support of the Saudi-led coalition’s operations;

the conduct of the Saudi-led coalition’s air campaign and adherence to international humanitarian law and the laws of armed conflict;

the demand for greater humanitarian access to Yemen;

the call for a wider government assessment of the U.S. role in the conflict;

the imperative of U.S.-Saudi counterterrorism cooperation; and

the role of Iran in suppling missile technology and other weapons to the forces of the Houthi movement.

This product will be updated during the second session of the 115th Congress to reflect new legislative proposals. It does not include references to Yemen in Iran sanctions legislation, which are covered in CRS Report RS20871, Iran Sanctions. For additional information on the war in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, please see the following CRS Products.

CRS Report R43960, Yemen: Civil War and Regional Intervention.

CRS Report RL33533, Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations.

CRS Insight IN10729, Yemen: Cholera Outbreak.

CRS Insight IN10557, Saudi Military Campaign in Yemen Draws Congressional Attention to U.S. Arms Sales.

CRS Insight IN10599, Yemen: Recent Attacks Against U.S. Naval Vessels in the Red Sea.