Opponents of the bill said Bahrain is a critical ally of US Bahrain is a member of the Arab coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen WASHINGTON: The Senate has blocked legislation to stop an estimated $300 million in arms sales to Bahrain. Opponents of the bill said Bahrain is a critical ally and home to a naval base the US needs to protect its interests in the region. Lawmakers rejected a call by Republican Sen. Rand Paul to send a message that the US is "done with the war in Yemen." The vote against Paul"s resolution disapproving of the arms sale was 77-21. Bahrain is a member of the Arab coalition fighting the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen since March 2015.