Senators Angry With Saudi Arabia Look to Halt Support in Yemen

WASHINGTON—Senators frustrated with Saudi Arabia following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi could vote as early as Wednesday on a measure withdrawing U.S. support for the Saudi intervention in Yemen's civil war, a move that could put them at odds with the White House.

The Senate was expected to vote this week on a resolution to withdraw U.S. military support from the Yemen conflict, which pits a Saudi-led coalition against Iran-allied Houthi militants and has produced the world's worst humanitarian disaster.

Although the measure was blocked in a Senate floor vote earlier this year, senators said the political winds shifted after Mr. Khashoggi was killed in early October by Saudi agents in the country's consulate in Istanbul.

"I'm in a real different place right now as it comes to Saudi Arabia," said Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker (R., Tenn.).

President Trump has repeatedly dismissed U.S. intelligence conclusions that the Saudi crown prince ordered the killing of the dissident journalist. Mr. Trump suggested the U.S. wouldn't impose further punishment on Saudi Arabia over the killing and said it was unknowable whether Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had ordered it.

Many Senate Republicans have split with Mr. Trump on the issue, saying Saudi Arabia should face repercussions for Mr. Khashoggi's death.

"There has to be some price to pay," Mr. Corker said. "While that imbalance is there, people are going to somehow or other want to address that imbalance."

Mr. Trump, in an interview with the Washington Post on Tuesday, said it was important for the U.S. to maintain a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia.

"They've been a great ally. Without them, Israel would be in a lot more trouble. We need to have a counterbalance to Iran," Mr. Trump said.

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The administration has taken other steps to halt the war in Yemen. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis issued coordinated calls recently for a cease-fire in the three-year-old war. Earlier this month, the U.S. stopped the aerial refueling of warplanes bombing Yemen.

Ahead of a Senate vote, Messrs. Pompeo and Mattis were scheduled to brief all senators Wednesday morning on the situation in Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Some Republicans, including Mr. Corker and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) had also requested that Gina Haspel, director of the Central Intelligence Agency, also appear at the briefing to answer questions about the CIA's conclusion that Mr. Khashoggi's killing was carried out under the orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. It wasn't clear Tuesday night if anyone from the CIA would be at the briefing.

In March, a Senate resolution withdrawing U.S. support for the Saudi coalition in Yemen was blocked in a 55-44 vote.

Critics of the new resolution warned that withdrawing U.S. support in Yemen could embolden Iran in the region.

"I do believe that the fact that it's a proxy war with Iran—between Iran and Saudi Arabia occurring in Yemen and unfortunately during their tragic civil war—is something we should not and cannot ignore," Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R., Texas) told reporters.

Even if it passes the Senate, the resolution faces a less receptive atmosphere in the House. Rep. Ro Khanna (D., Calif.) introduced a similar resolution in the House earlier this year, but House GOP leaders blocked a vote on it earlier this month.