Senators pledge against the disappearance of a Saudi journalist

Senators from both parties appeared close to a rare bipartisan consensus Sunday, warning that Congress would act against Saudi Arabia following the alleged death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

While lawmakers have expressed the desire to wait for the results of an investigation before determining the appropriate punishment, Sens. Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeMcSally publishes a video of Sinema calling the Arizona "methamphetamine lab of democracy" Cornyn: "All the money in the world" will not help O & # Rourke to win Texas win Jeff Flake: I hope someone will run for the primary against Trump PLUS (R-Ariz.) And Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioHillicon Valley: Facebook Reveals 30 Million Users Affected by Piracy | Grassley urges Google to explain data practices | US Senators Warn Canada Against Chinese Telecommunication Company | FCC responds to Internet neutrality lawsuit Senators urge Canada not to use Huawei in 5G development for national security reasons Countdown to elections: O & # 39; Rourke wins a lot of money | Deal on the judges allows senators to return to the track | Hurricane puts Florida candidates in the spotlight | Adelson spends a lot to save GOP midway MORE (R-Fla.) Suggested that it was increasingly likely that Khashoggi would be killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

"I do not think we should go on as if nothing had happened, until we know exactly what happened here, because we know it well: he went into that." consulate and it's never been out, "Rubio said in" State of Play ". l & # 39; Union. "

"So the only two things that could have happened, is that he's alive and that he's still there, or that he's dead and that the Saudis are the ones who have done, "continued Rubio. "There is no other explanation for this, because if there was a video of his departure, they would have already shown it."

Flake told ABC "This Week" that he "does not seem to have any" explanation that would rule out Saudi participation in Khashoggi's disappearance.

"Their explanation that their CCTV just streamed without recording is simply not plausible," said Flake, echoing other lawmakers. "There is simply no good explanation and I think they know it."

Senators' comments reflect a growing consensus in the Senate that the Saudis played a role in the alleged disappearance and murder of Khashoggi, an American resident who is a Washington Post editorialist and a noted critic of the Saudi leadership. The journalist was last seen almost two weeks ago at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish authorities reported having video and audio recordings proving that Khashoggi had been killed at the consulate.

President TrumpDonald John TrumpDave Chappelle: Trump's address to a very small choir in an "eclectic" country Three reasons why Mueller refuses to charge Trump with obstruction The Alabama grocery store says he does not sell Pepsi products bearing the NFL logo to counter knee manifestations MORE and other US officials refrained from declaring that Saudi Arabia was responsible for Khashoggi's death.

The incident has severely strained US-Saudi relations, has once again focused on US arms sales to Saudi Arabia and prompted a re-examination of the "reformer" image that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman himself promoted since he came to power in 2017.

While Trump has promised a "severe punishment" to Saudi Arabia when it is established that the country played a role in Khashoggi's disappearance, lawmakers said Sunday that Congress would take charge of the killing. ;to act.

"I think the Trump administration is going to do something," said Rubio. "The President has said, but if he does not do it, Congress will do it, and I can tell you with absolute certainty."

Rubio was reluctant to give details and suggested that the sentence be imposed once an investigation could determine what happened. To provide a concrete answer at this stage would unnecessarily limit the United States, he said.

Sen. Bernie SandersBernard (Bernie) SandersBloomberg travels to New Hampshire, fueling rumors that Kamala Harris is campaigning in Iowa for the first time, Sanders denounces the number of registered voters in Georgia: "The Republicans Loose" flagrantly suppress the vote "CONTINUED (I-Vt.) Called Khashoggi's potential massacre "unacceptable" and proposed to CNN that the United States reevaluate arms sales and support the Saudi government's war in Yemen.

The senator from Vermont noted that he and Sen. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeSenators warn Trump that relations with Saudi Arabia are at stake. The GOP is split in two to fill vacancies in the Supreme Court in 2020. Trump is about to sign a project bipartite legislation on water supply infrastructure MORE (R-Utah) presented at the beginning of the year a resolution calling on the United States to end its involvement in the war in Yemen, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. The measure has collected 44 votes, effectively killing it.

Last week, members of the External Relations Committee voted to impose sanctions on Trump to investigate Khashoggi's disappearance. The decision was made after days of MPs' outcry about the dissident's whereabouts and warnings that his disappearance could provoke a fundamental change in US-Saudi relations.

Although lawmakers have insisted that nothing should disappear from the table, Trump has expressed reluctance to change existing arms agreements between the United States and the Saudis as part of any potential punishment.

"I'm going to tell you what I do not want to do, I do not want to hurt jobs, I do not want to lose such an order, and you know what, there are other ways to punish", Trump said in an interview with "60 Minutes" to air late Sunday.

Saudi Arabia reacted strongly earlier on Sunday, rejecting "any threat" and "false accusations", and pledging to retaliate against any action taken by the United States.

"What has circulated in terms of the supposed orders to kill him are blatant lies and unfounded allegations against the kingdom's government," Saudi Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud said Saturday. , about Khashoggi.

The Trump administration is under additional pressure as treasury secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinCinq Things To Watch For In The Deterioration Of US-Saudi Relations On The Money: McCarthy Proposes Bill To Fully Fund Trump Border Wall | US to put pressure on China on currency in trade talks | Mnuchin plans to go ahead with a trip to Saudi Arabia | How the gap that separates urban areas from rural areas of the United States changes Dems GOP's legislator calls Mnuchin to cancel his trip to Saudi Arabia will visit Saudi Arabia next week for an economic conference.

"I do not think he should go," Rubio said. "I do not think any member of our government should pretend, as usual, until we know exactly what happened here."

The senior economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, told ABC that Mnuchin still intended to attend the conference, stressing that the issue of ending the financing of terrorism was too important to ignore, unless additional information.

Kudlow added that he expected Trump to review an investigation and his findings this week, while he wondered if the president might not follow through on his threat to punish the Saudis.

"All I would say, is with respect to the story of Khashoggi, which is a tragedy for Khashoggi among other people.But what the president says when he says we will take very strict measures if the allegations of Saudi interference proved to be true "says Kudlow.