Democrats move to block more than $ 3 billion in arms sales in Qatar and water

Congress Democrats are looking to block more than $ 3 billion in arms sales offered in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates who were announced during President Trump’s visit to the Middle East this week.

Democrats target a sale of $ 1.9 billion in Qatar and $ 1.6 billion in the Emirates. Packages include Chinese helicopters, armed drones, hundreds of bombs, targeting kits, F-16 aircraft components and other military equipment.

The State Department approved the proposed sales and officially informed the Congress shortly before Mr. Trump’s trip. However, for sale to the Emirates, the administration has circumvented an informal examination period which allows the high -level legislators of foreign affairs committees to raise concerns or to negotiate changes before the complete notification of the congress.

Senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, is the senator Christopher S. Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut and member of the Foreign Relations Committee, who introduced resolutions aimed at blocking arms sales in the two countries.

Mr. Murphy questioned the sale in Qatar in light of the information that the country had offered Mr. Trump a luxury jet of $ 400 million as a gift.

“Unless Qatar cancels their offer from a` Palais in the sky ” or Trump refuses it, I will travel to block this sale of weapons, “Murphy said in a statement. He also underlined a real estate agreement and a golf course of $ 5.5 billion involving the Trump family and a company affiliated in Qatar from the sovereign heritage fund. The project would involve a golf course by the Trump sea brand and the development of luxury villa in the country.