WASHINGTON-Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement.
“Congress has an important role to play in examining our relationship with Saudi Arabia and the Middle East region. So that we can effectively carry out our duties, the executive branch must share information about American foreign policy and the intelligence underpinning that policy. That is why I have urgently asked for briefings for House members to discuss U.S. policy in Saudi Arabia. I am outraged that so far, the House has been excluded from receiving those briefings even though the Senate will receive one later today. And I am dismayed about reports that the White House is blocking CIA Director Gina Haspel from briefing Congress on this matter. This is unprecedented and unacceptable. It represents a breach of protocol and trust, and it cannot stand.".
