Lawmakers oppose Saudi arms deal

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- U.S. lawmakers are voicing bipartisan opposition to a plan to sell up to $20 billion in arms to Saudi Arabia.

The Hill newspaper said 114 lawmakers have signed a letter to President Bush stressing their opposition to the plan.

"If a sale containing weapons for Saudi Arabia is proposed to Congress

under the Arms Export Act of 1976, we intend to stop it," the letter said.

The letter was drafted by Reps. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., Robert Wexler, D-Fla., and Mike Ferguson, R-N.J.

The Arms Export Act gives Congress 30 days to review any large arms

package. Congress could then offer a joint resolution of disapproval, which could block the deal, the newspaper said.