Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia
Legislative Background
In 1976, President Gerald Ford signed the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) into law. Among other things, this Act requires that foreign governments wishing to buy American arms must use the purchased weapons for legitimate self-defense. It also specifies that Congress must approve arms sales. Saudi Arabia and Arms Sales. Saudi Arabia — a longtime U.S. ally in the Middle East — has bought American arms for many years. The weapons include precision guided munitions or “smart bombs,” mortars, and fighter jet engines. The Trump Administration wants to sell $8 billion worth of such arms to Saudi Arabia, the United…
