Press Releases

WASHINGTON – Congressman James P. McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, has introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit all military sales and aid to the government of Saudi Arabia unless the Secretary of State determines that the Saudi regime did not order or direct the disappearance, imprisonment, or death of Saudi journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi.

“The evidence continues to mount that the Saudi government was responsible for the disappearance of Mr. Khashoggi,” said Congressman McGovern. “What we know is that Mr. Khashoggi walked into the Saudi Consulate and he did not leave. The American people deserve to know the facts. They deserve to know that their government will not bankroll any regime that engages in despicable human rights violations. If Mr. Khashoggi was indeed murdered by the Saudi Government, it would be a brazen and alarming violation of international norms to which the United States must respond.”

Congressman McGovern noted that he is prepared to introduce stronger legislation should reports clearly indicate that the Saudi Government is responsible for Khashoggi’s disappearance.

“From Saudi royal family members financially backing 9/11 hijackers, to the probable murder of U.S. based-journalist and democracy advocate Jamal Khashoggi, it is clear that Saudi Arabia does not share America’s values,” said Congressman Jones. “Taxpayers should not be forced to continue to subsidize this regime.”

Representatives Walter B. Jones (R-NC), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Thomas Massie (R-KY), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Justin Amash (R-MI), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA) joined McGovern as original cosponsors of the bill.

The full text of the bill is available by clicking here.