There will be "consequences" for Saudi Arabia, said US Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday, as the Riyadh-led OPEC+ coalition seeks to curb oil production and Democratic lawmakers call for a halt to cooperation with the Saudis.

Aides indicated that the administration is reevaluating its relationship with the monarchy in light of the oil output cut that, according to White House officials, will assist another OPEC+ member, Russia, bolster its coffers as it continues its almost eight-month war in Ukraine.

Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal and California Democrat Ro Khanna filed legislation that would immediately halt all US arms sales to Saudi Arabia for one year. This halt would also prevent the sale of spare and repair parts, support services, and logistical assistance.

It remains to be seen, though, how far Biden is willing to go to express his discontent with the Saudis, a key but problematic Middle Eastern ally. Biden entered office intending to rebalance US relations with Saudi Arabia due to the kingdom's human rights record, but he visited the kingdom early this year.

Biden stated in a CNN interview that he will consult with Congress on the next steps, but refrained from embracing Democratic senators' call to block arms sales.

Biden stated, "There will be consequences for what they've done with Russia." "I will not discuss what I would consider and what I have in mind. Nonetheless, there will be repercussions."

John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council of the White House, stated that Biden believes "it is time to reevaluate this relationship to ensure that it serves our national security interests."

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated on Tuesday that the White House has not established a schedule for its study, nor has the president named a point person.

In the meantime, officials emphasize Saudi Arabia's vital role in resolving broader national security challenges in the Middle East.

Blumenthal and Khanna announced their proposal a day after New Jersey Democrat Sen. Robert Menendez said it was unacceptable that OPEC+ had moved to restrict oil production and effectively aid Moscow in its conflict against Ukraine. Menendez pledged to utilize his position as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to prevent any further arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

Kirby stated that Menendez did not alert the White House before announcing his plan to halt further Saudi arms deliveries.

OPEC+, which includes Russia and Saudi Arabia, said last week that it would reduce output by 2 million barrels per day. This will assist maintain oil prices, which permit Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue funding his eight-month invasion of Ukraine.

The output decrease also hinders US-led efforts to make the war financially unsustainable for Russia, threatens a global economy already destabilized by the Ukraine conflict, and threatens to saddle Biden and Democrats with rising gasoline costs just ahead of November elections in the United States.

Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Fariq Al Saud told Saudi-owned Al Arabiya that the output cuts were "strictly economic."

Biden and European leaders have called for an increase in oil production to lower gasoline prices and punish Russia for its aggressiveness in Ukraine. Putin has been accused of employing energy as a weapon against nations who oppose the Russian invasion.

Jean-Pierre stated, "They are aligning themselves with Russia." Now is not the moment to align with Russia.

Regarding the Saudis, Senator Blumenthal stated, "We cannot continue to sell sensitive arms technology to a country allied with a heinous terrorist adversary."

However, the White House recognizes that its arms sales to Riyadh serve in part as an essential regional counterweight to Iran, which is rapidly becoming a nuclear power.

"There are currently 70,000 Americans living in Saudi Arabia, in addition to all the other troops we have in the region," Kirby stated. "Therefore, it's not just in our best interest for missile defense in the region to become more integrated and cooperative. It is also in the best interests of our allies and partners in that region.

Still, Biden is under increasing pressure. As a contender for the White House, he pledged that Saudi leaders would "pay the price" for the 2018 murder of US-based writer and critic of the kingdom's leadership Jamal Khashoggi. Biden stated that he would want to isolate the oil-rich nation.

But in July, in response to soaring gas costs around the world, Biden decided to visit Saudi Arabia. During the visit, he met with Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, whom he had denounced as a killer for Khashoggi's death. The US intelligence community concluded that the crown prince, often known by his initials MBS, likely authorized Khashoggi's murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. MBS denies he was involved.

In the years-long conflict between the kingdom and Houthi rebels in Yemen, the Saudis have been criticized for airstrikes that killed people, as well as for embargoes that exacerbated poverty and brought Yemen to the verge of famine.