A Senate panel on Tuesday approved legislation that would make it difficult for President Donald Trump to bypass Congressional review of arms sales.
The committee approved the procedure by oral vote, and only Republican Senator Mitt Romney asked to be registered as an objector. It was not immediately clear when the entire Senate would consider the procedure.
“Emergency provisions in the Arms Export Control Act should be used only in real emergencies and as a rare exception to our closest allies, who can guarantee them,” said Sen. Bob Menendez, the Democratic leader on the Foreign Relations Committee and a leading supporter of legislation.
The legislation will limit the use of emergency powers in the Arms Control Act to the closest US security partners, such as members of NATO, Australia, Israel, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand.
Sen. Steny Hoyer, the second-largest Democrat in the House of Representatives, told reporters that the council will vote on 22 decisions to reject arms deals when it resumes in Washington on July 9 after the end of Independence Day holiday next week.
