By Umar Farooq
WASHINGTON (AA) - The Senate voted Thursday to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen in a rebuke to Saudi Arabia, a long-time U.S. ally.
The resolution was passed in the chamber 56-41.
The bill was co-sponsored by Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah. It gained renewed momentum following Saudi Arabia's murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
It faced stiff opposition from top Republicans including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said it was went too far and advised lawmakers to not "pick a fight" with the executive branch.
The Saudi-led campaign in Yemen has devastated the country's infrastructure, including its health and sanitation systems, prompting the UN to describe the situation as one of the worst humanitarian disasters of modern times.
The bill needs to pass through both the Senate and House of Representatives in order to make its way to Trump's desk where it is unlikely to be signed into law.
However, it is unlikely to be taken up in the House due to a provision passed in the chamber on Wednesday.
Trump and his top officials have denied any role for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Khashoggi's killing, despite bipartisan demands on Capitol Hill he be held responsible.