1/ Six years ago, I gave the first speech in the Senate on the Yemen civil war.
This afternoon I'm chairing my first Foreign Relations hearing on U.S. policy on Yemen. A quick thread on why this matters and what I'll be focused on when questioning the witnesses ⤵️
This afternoon I'm chairing my first Foreign Relations hearing on U.S. policy on Yemen. A quick thread on why this matters and what I'll be focused on when questioning the witnesses ⤵️
2/ There are four major objectives when it comes to Yemen:
- Reach a nationwide ceasefire
- Provide vital humanitarian aid
- Get Yemen's economy back up and running
- Lay out a framework for inclusive political negotiations to finally end this conflict
- Reach a nationwide ceasefire
- Provide vital humanitarian aid
- Get Yemen's economy back up and running
- Lay out a framework for inclusive political negotiations to finally end this conflict
3/ First, after the U.S. finally pulled our support for the Saudi led military effort, the Saudis made a ceasefire proposal. The Biden admin is committed to the diplomatic work needed to help broker an end to this conflict. This is critical.
4/ Second, Yemen is still the world's largest humanitarian crisis and right now, blockades are cutting off vital aid from millions of civilians. I want to hear about plans to get fuel into Hodeidah and reopen the Sanaa airport to help Yemenis in need.
5/ Third, our humanitarian partners in Yemen are doing heroic work, but their support alone cannot lift Yemen out of crisis. I want to hear ideas on how we can get the Central Bank functioning and get civil servants' salaries paid to help ordinary Yemenis.
6/ Finally, the long-term goal is still a negotiated peace agreement. We need an inclusive framework for political negotiations that will finally end this conflict and I look forward to getting an update on progress from today's witnesses.
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