Pompeo and Defense Secretary James Mattis traveled to Capitol Hill for a briefing with Senate lawmakers on Wednesday where they emphasized the strategic importance of the US-Saudi relationship amid concerns about the conflict in Yemen and the administration's response to the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The purpose of Wednesday's briefing was to outline the US role in Yemen -- a briefing that has taken on added importance as momentum has grown behind a resolution to cut off US military aid to Saudi Arabia over its role in the brutal civil war in the country.
At least in part, the briefing was designed to push back against the resolution, which the Trump administration opposes.
Senators from both parties made clear prior to the briefing that they intended to ask for details on the Khashoggi murder, even as the Trump administration declined to send CIA Director Gina Haspel to join the briefing.
Speaking to reporters after the briefing, Pompeo said there is "no direct reporting" connecting the crown prince to the murder of Khashoggi.
When asked why the CIA director was not present for the briefing with senators, Pompeo replied, "I was asked to be here and here I am." When pushed on the issue, Pompeo repeated, "I was asked to be here and I am here."
In prepared remarks, both Pompeo and Mattis urged senators not to abandon US involvement in Yemen conflict and defended the importance of Saudi Arabia as a key partner in the region.
"I know many of you think it's time to pack up and abandon the role we've been playing since the previous administration. I'm here to tell you why that's a bad call," Pompeo said.
"The more support from you we get, the better chance we have of ending the conflict and stopping the suffering that none of us are happy about," Pompeo added.
Pompeo laid out what he described as "three vital missions" being carried out by the US: "to assist the Saudis and the Emiratis in their fight against Iranian-backed Houthi fighters," "to decapitate al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula," and "to protect Americans working in Saudi Arabia or transiting the strategic waterways around Yemen."
He also devoted a large portion of his remarks to Iran's malign influence in the region.
Mattis acknowledged Khashoggi's murder in his own prepared comments but said US "security interests cannot be dismissed, even as we seek accountability for what President Trump described as the 'unacceptable and horrible crime' of Jamal Khashoggi's murder, a crime which 'our country does not condone.'"
"We must maintain our twin requirements of holding those responsible for the murder to account, while recognizing the reality of Saudi Arabia as a necessary strategic partner. We cannot be deflected from using all our influence to end this war for the good of innocent people in trouble, and ultimately the safety of our own people, and this includes our military engagement," he said.
While the Yemen resolution has little future in the current GOP-led US House and has already failed once in the Senate this year, the fact it may now be on the verge of approval in the chamber underscores the growing amount of discontent on Capitol Hill with the administration and US relations with Saudi Arabia, aides said.
A vote could occur as soon as Wednesday afternoon.
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