A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of certain defense articles and services.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
- Committees
- Foreign Relations Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Sep 24, 2026
Bottom line
This resolution seeks to block a major arms sale of F-35 fighter jets and associated support to Saudi Arabia, asserting congressional authority over foreign military sales.
What it actually does
This joint resolution prohibits a specific proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sale, identified as Transmittal No. 26-69, includes 48 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, 49 Pratt & Whitney F135-PW-100 engines, and a comprehensive package of related defense articles and services, including secure communications, training, and logistics support.
Proponents argue
Proponents of this resolution argue that blocking the sale is crucial to prevent the potential misuse of advanced U.S. weaponry, address human rights concerns in Saudi Arabia, and avoid further destabilization in the Middle East. They emphasize Congress's constitutional role in overseeing foreign policy and ensuring that arms transfers align with U.S. values and strategic interests.
Opponents contend
Opponents of the resolution, who support the sale, would likely contend that blocking it undermines a critical strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, a key ally in counterterrorism and regional stability efforts. They would argue that the sale is essential for Saudi Arabia's self-defense, strengthens interoperability with U.S. forces, and supports the U.S. defense industrial base, while also serving as a deterrent against shared adversaries.
The bill text is extremely short and can be read in under a minute, making it highly accessible for any reader to understand its direct purpose.
Resolved clause, paragraph (1)
Prohibition of F-35 Lightning II Sale to Saudi Arabia
This provision explicitly states that the proposed foreign military sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, identified as Transmittal No. 26-69, is prohibited. The sale includes 48 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, 49 F135-PW-100 engines, and a wide array of associated support, training, and equipment necessary for the operation and maintenance of these advanced fighter jets, as detailed in the transmittal.
Supporters argue
Supporters of prohibiting the sale argue it aligns with U.S. values, prevents potential misuse of advanced weaponry, and sends a strong message regarding human rights or regional stability concerns. They believe it reasserts congressional authority in foreign policy and prevents the proliferation of sensitive technology.
Critics contend
Opponents of the prohibition argue that blocking the sale damages a critical bilateral relationship, weakens Saudi Arabia's defense capabilities against shared threats (like Iran), and could push Saudi Arabia to seek advanced arms from other nations, potentially with fewer restrictions or less interoperability with U.S. systems.
Tradeoffs
The resolution highlights the tension between supporting a strategic ally with advanced defense capabilities and addressing concerns about human rights, regional stability, and the potential for advanced U.S. technology to be used in ways that conflict with U.S. interests or values. It also pits executive branch foreign policy prerogatives against congressional oversight.
The bill references 'Transmittal No. 26-69' as the specific proposed foreign military sale being prohibited. This transmittal, submitted to Congress under the Arms Export Control Act, contains the detailed justification and specifics of the sale from the executive branch.
Paragraph (1) of the Resolved clause
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for disapproving arms sales. Congress typically refers to the official transmittal number provided by the executive branch to precisely identify the proposed sale without needing to reproduce the entire detailed notification within the resolution itself, ensuring legal precision.
Case for: Referencing the transmittal number ensures that the resolution targets the exact sale notified by the executive branch, preventing ambiguity and streamlining the legislative text. It relies on established procedures for arms sale oversight and avoids unnecessary duplication of extensive technical details.
Case against: A reader unfamiliar with the specific transmittal document would need to seek out an external source (e.g., the Congressional Record or DSCA website) to fully understand the complete scope and justification of the sale being prohibited, making the resolution less self-contained for a casual observer.
Estimated impact: The transmittal would detail the multi-billion dollar value of the F-35 sale, including aircraft, engines, support, and training, representing a significant defense contract.