US Senators intent on punishing Saudi Arabia for role in Khashoggi killing

Supporters of bipartisan legislation designed to strongly rebuke Saudi Arabia for the role its Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, allegedly played in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, say they believe they have secured enough votes for final passage.

While the measure, sponsored by Sens. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., makes no mention of Khashoggi, it does call on the administration to end U.S. military support for the Saudi-led coalition fighting a war in Yemen.

Because of the nature of the legislation, a war powers resolution which is difficult to amend, those who want to explicitly rebuke MBS – who the CIA has assessed to have ordered the killing of the journalist – say they will now have to wait until early next year.

Supporters of the resolution said Thursday that they are confident they have the votes for passage, even though the House is not expected to take it up this session.

The Saudis have denied the crown prince had any involvement.