President Donald Trump (R) vetoed three congressional resolutions limiting sales and export of Paveway laser-guided bombs July 24.
Senate Joint Resolutions 36, 37, and 38 were introduced by Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) on June 5, 2019. They prohibited elements of a June 3 proposal involving export of the Paveway II and Paveway IV laser-guided bomb system to six countries, including the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
All three resolutions passed the U.S. Senate on June 20 and the U.S. House on July 17. None received two-thirds support, which would be required for a veto override, in either chamber.
In his veto messages, President Trump said that the three resolutions would limit U.S. security capabilities, prolong the war in Yemen, threaten the safety of U.S. citizens living in Saudi Arabia, and “damage the credibility of the United States as a reliable partner by signaling that we are willing to abandon our partners and allies at the very moment when threats to them are increasing.”
President Trump has issued five vetoes since taking office. During their two terms in office, Presidents Barack Obama (D) and George W. Bush (R) each issued 12 vetoes, while Bill Clinton (D) issued 37 vetoes.