Corker's imminent departure puts Saudi sanctions in doubt
Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), one of the most outspoken critics of President Trump in the Senate Republican Conference, is due to relinquish the Foreign Relations Committee gavel to Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), a Trump loyalist who will be much more likely to defend the president next year.
The looming leadership change on the committee could make it more difficult for Corker to press the administration on its Saudi Arabia policy, which is under increased scrutiny following the death of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Corker, who is slated to retire in early January, will have a difficult time pushing the administration to take action against Prince Mohammed or other high-ranking members of the royal family in the busy lame-duck session after the Nov. 6 midterms, according to GOP sources.
“I’d say it’s pretty much non-existent,” an administration official said of Corker’s influence over the White House, citing the senator’s impending departure. A Senate GOP aide said Corker “hasn’t done himself any favors by being so critical of the president” and at times has had “wobbly” relations with fellow Republicans who view some of his public clashes with Trump as provocative.
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/413246-corkers-imminent-departure-puts-saudi-sanctions-in-doubt
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