Senate GOP Blocks Bid to Delay Arms Sales to Qatar, UAE

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Photo: AP

Senate Republicans have stopped an effort by Democrats to delay selling weapons to Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This came after concerns about deals linked to former President Donald Trump.

Democrats raised two major concerns on Wednesday. First, Qatar gave a $400 million airplane to the U.S. government, which could be used as a new Air Force One. Second, a company from the UAE, connected to Trump’s family through a digital currency (called a "stablecoin"), plans to invest $2 billion using that currency.

Senator Chris Murphy, who led the Democrats' action, said the U.S. should not help Trump benefit personally from foreign countries. He suggested that weapon sales to Qatar and the UAE be paused—not stopped forever—until those countries promise not to offer Trump any personal rewards.

The Trump team is still working on how to accept the plane from Qatar. Trump called the deal a “no brainer” because the new Air Force One from Boeing has been delayed. He also said he wouldn’t use the gifted plane after he leaves office. Still, both Democrats and some Republicans have serious concerns about whether this deal is ethical.

During a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he could not share many details about the plane or how it would be changed to be safe for the president. He explained that the plan to upgrade the jet is still secret and not yet signed.

There’s also concern about a company called World Liberty Financial, which is tied to Trump’s family. This company created a stablecoin called USD1. A UAE fund plans to use $2 billion of this currency to buy a stake in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.

Senator Murphy used a special Senate rule to try to force votes to block the arms sales. This rule is called a “joint resolution of disapproval,” and it gives the Senate power to reject arms deals. However, the Senate blocked Murphy’s motion, so the vote didn’t go to the full Senate floor.

While the effort didn’t change the law, it was meant to send a message. Murphy said the Senate must keep an eye on arms sales and make sure they are used properly.

“We trust the president with great power,” Murphy said. “We must make sure that power is not used in the wrong way.”