The Senate voted Thursday to block the Trump administration's controversial weapons sales to Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the deal last month. He declared a national security emergency in order to avoid Congressional approval, using an "obscure loophole in the Arms [Export] Control Act."
He said at the time the sales are necessary to respond to the "malign influence of the government of Iran throughout the Middle East region."
The move immediately received pushback from lawmakers. Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of senators introduced 22 measures aimed at blocking the 22 sales.
The resolutions passed in the Senate because several Republicans voted with Democrats. The measures are also expected to pass in the Democrat-controlled House. But, both chambers would need a two-thirds majority to override a likely veto by President Trump. The resolutions passed the Senate with a little more than half the votes, so an override would be unlikely.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
