vacancies in the region. lawmakers triggered an investigation on wednesday that could pave the way potentially for sanctions against saudi arabia that could make for a potential confrontation with republicans. listen to senator lindsey graham. he didn't mince his words. >> there will be a bipartisan tsunami building against saudi arabia if they did in fact do this. this being the demise of a journalist dissident that they would suffer a lot in the eyes of the american people and the congress. >> but the president said no matter what, the united states is not going to stop selling weapons to saudi arabia. listen. >> i will tell you up front right now and i will say it in front of senators. they are spending $110 billion purchasing military equipment and other things. if we don't sell it to them, they will say we will buy from russia or thank you very much,