New York, USA (CNN)– OPEC and its allies defended the decision to cut oil production, saying that they are trying to prepare for a possible economic downturn that would hurt energy demand.
Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, does not believe this argument from the Saudi-led OPEC and is driving pressure to punish the kingdom.
“You’re causing the recession,” Blumenthal told CNN on Tuesday in a phone interview, expressing his indignation. “Not only did Saudi Arabia not care regarding us, it dealt us a deep blow.”
The OPEC+ production cut, announced last week, has already pushed up oil prices and pushed up prices at the fuel pump. Higher energy prices will only exacerbate inflationary pressures that increase the risks of a recession.
Blumenthal and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna on Tuesday announced legislation to halt all US arms sales to Saudi Arabia for one year. This will include military supplies, sales, and other arms assistance to Saudi Arabia, a longtime partner of the United States in the Middle East.
“They chose to ally with Russia and increase Russia’s profits at a time when Russia needs more money. It is terrible,” Blumenthal said, adding that there is a “very strong desire” in Washington to strike back at Saudi Arabia, which is “at best an unreliable partner.” Extremely”.
Blumenthal noted that the OPEC+ production cut comes just months following President Joe Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia, a trip that upended his campaign promise to make the kingdom a “pariah” because of its human rights record.
Asked if Biden’s trip to Saudi Arabia was a failure, Blumenthal said the trip “did not achieve its purpose” but that the president was making a “justifiable” effort.
The Saudi embassy did not respond to a request for comment.
The US State Department said on Tuesday that “decisions” on future US-Saudi relations would be taken “in a consultative manner” and stressed that the OPEC + decision was “misleading.”
The Blumenthal-Khanna legislation would require a one-year moratorium on all direct commercial and foreign military sales of arms and munitions to Saudi Arabia, including a moratorium on the sale of parts, installation, support services, and support programs.
A Senate bill to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia was introduced on Tuesday, while a copy is expected to be presented to the House of Representatives soon.
Blumenthal said he hoped the legislation would “rebalance” the “one-sided” relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
“Saudi Arabia gets weapons, gets paid for oil, and then turns around and betrays us,” he said.
As soon as possible, Blumenthal said that the goal is to get OPEC + to reverse its decision to cut oil production at the beginning of next month. “It’s not too late,” he added.
