Overview

• Senators voted 56–39 against two procedural motions to block the $1.9 billion Qatar package and the $1.6 billion UAE package, both requiring a simple majority.
• The Democratic push was driven by ethics concerns after Qatar donated a $400 million Boeing 747 and the UAE invested $2 billion in Trump’s World Liberty Financial stablecoin.
• Four Democrats—Chris Coons, Andy Kim, Catherine Cortez Masto and Elissa Slotkin—joined Republicans in defeating the measures, while Sen. Rand Paul cast “present” votes.
• The proposed sales cover MQ-9 Reaper drones, radar systems and munitions for Qatar and Chinook helicopters, F-16 components and munitions for the UAE.
• Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Jim Risch dismissed the resolutions as partisan tactics and defended continued military cooperation with both Gulf partners.