Washington, DC – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, today issued the following statement announcing the introduction of Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) to block the Trump administration’s recent notification it would advance over $1B in arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by skirting longstanding practice to subject such sales to Congressional committee review and violating Congress’s constitutional role. In doing so, the Trump administration blew past the hold that Ranking Member Meeks had placed on U.S. arms sales to the UAE – as well as any other country fueling the conflict in Sudan – earlier this year. 

PDFs of the JRDs are available here and here.

“The Trump administration’s decision to once again bypass the Congressional review process and notify over one billion dollars in arms sales to the UAE is a clear violation of longstanding, bipartisan process and undermines Congress’s constitutional authority and responsibility in overseeing arms transfers.

“Worse, this comes amid further credible reporting and evidence – both inside and outside the U.S. government – that the UAE continues to provide weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), fueling the conflict in Sudan where more than 150,000 people have died and the RSF is committing genocide.  

"The Trump administration’s end-run around Congress is irresponsible and will further embolden the UAE to violate the UN’s Darfur arms embargo and continue its support for the RSF and the killing of innocent civilians. The brutal war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces has already displaced nearly 13 million since it began in 2023 and forced 1 million people to the brink of starvation. It must end now. 

“The JRDs seek to block certain arms cases the Trump administration notified on May 12 for export to the UAE, despite a Congressional hold. We urge our colleagues to support these JRDs to block these arms sales until the UAE ceases its armed support to the RSF and fueling of its horrific atrocities.”