US senators pressuring Saudis to hike oil output

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Democrats Tuesday introduced legislation to stop a U.S. arms sale to Saudi Arabia worth $1.4 billion in a tactic supporters said was aimed at pressuring the OPEC country to increase its oil output.

“We are saying that we need real relief and we need it quickly. You (Saudi Arabia) need our arms, but we need you to cooperate and not strangle American consumers,” said Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat.


The resolution to disapprove the Saudi arms sale package that the Bush administration outlined in December and January could be voted on in coming days, timed for President Bush’s trip to the kingdom this week.

The move also came as Democratic and Republican lawmakers scurried in this election year to show voters they are trying to do something about rapidly rising gasoline prices.

Reuters