Despite significant Congressional opposition, the Bush administration intends to formally announce their plan to sell precision-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia later this month.
This arms package is reckless and has the potential to create a powder keg that can ultimately spark a regional arms race. It appears that, once again, this Republican administration is out of touch with reality if they think that they can buy peace through arms.
Selling precision-guided bombs, including joint direct attack munitions and satellite-guided bombs, to Saudi Arabia will only flare up an already volatile region and further weaken our national security.
This Bush-Saudi arms deal is expected to eventually total $20 billion, but what will be the human cost? I intend to work closely with my colleagues in Congress to block these arms sales.
Rep. Lee is co-chair of the Progressive Caucus, co-founder of the Out of Iraq Caucus and sits on the State Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the House Appropriations committee.