Trump Bypasses Congress on $8.6B Arms Deal

"The sales would entail the transfer of rockets to Israel, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates and air-defense equipment to Qatar and Kuwait."

"Under the terms of the deal with Qatar, the Gulf country would pay more than $4 billion for American-made Patriot missile interceptors - global stockpiles of which have dwindled during the war with Iran."

"Secretary of State Marco Rubio expedited the deals under an emergency provision allowing the 'immediate sale' of the weapons, bypassing standard congressional review."

"This is the third time the second Trump administration has invoked an emergency authorization during the Iran war to bypass Congress on arms sales."

The U.S. State Department announced an $8.6 billion weapons deal with the United Arab Emirates and other Middle Eastern allies, including Israel and Qatar. The deal involves the transfer of rockets and air-defense equipment, with Qatar purchasing over $4 billion in Patriot missile interceptors. This decision was made under an emergency provision, allowing the administration to bypass congressional review, leading to criticism from Democratic lawmakers. This marks the third instance of invoking emergency authorization during the ongoing war with Iran.

Read at Truthout