Description:
Bill Summary S. 398 would suspend through fiscal year 2020 several pending arms sales to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also would require the Administration to impose sanctions on foreign persons (individuals or entities) who have interfered with humanitarian aid in Yemen, supported Houthi forces, or are responsible for the death of Jamal Khashoggi. Finally, the bill would require the Administration and the Government Accountability Office to provide several reports and briefings to the Congress. Estimated Federal Cost CBO estimates that enacting S. 398 would increase direct spending by $6 billion over the 2019-2024 period and would have insignificant effects on revenues. In addition, CBO estimates that imposing the sanctions and satisfying the reporting requirements would cost less than $500,000 each year and total $1 million over the 2019-2024 period. That spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 150 (international affairs). Suspension of Arms Sales S. 398 would suspend the sale of several types of defense items to Saudi Arabia. According to the Department of Defense (DoD), Saudi Arabia has more than 370 arms sales valued at
