Congress not phased by Saudi weapons deal
Thursday, February 14, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
WASHINGTON — Congress has raised no objections to the sale of an advanced U.S.-origin air munition to Saudi Arabia.
The House and Senate have not registered opposition to the U.S. sale of the Joint Direct Attack Munitions to Saudi Arabia. Congress was informed of the sale on Jan. 14 and was given one month to respond.
But neither house of Congress held open hearings to question the sale. This, despite the expression of disapproval by nearly 100 House members.
The lion's share of opponents to the JDAM sale was comprised of Democrats. Only 13 Republican Party members of the House objected to the Saudi procurement.
"This [JDAM sale] is a bad idea," Rep. Zach Wamp, a Tennessee Republican, said. "We had hoped there would be more opposition and more scrutiny. Economic interests sometimes trump national security interests."
On Feb. 12, three Republicans urged their colleagues to oppose the sale. Wamp was joined by Rep. Sue Myrick of North Carolina and Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia, who warned that the JDAMs could be used against the United States.
"If the American people had any idea what's going on, they would oppose this," Ms. Myrick said.