GOP Pressure
House Passes Bill to Prevent Biden from Withholding Weapons to Israel
In a significant legislative move, the House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday aimed at preventing President Joe Biden from withholding weapons shipments to Israel. The bill, known as the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, was passed with a vote of 224-187, reflecting a deepening divide within Congress over U.S. policy towards the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The legislation, spearheaded by House Republicans, seeks to compel the Biden administration to resume the delivery of 3,500 bombs to Israel, which had been paused earlier this month. The administration's decision to halt the shipment was intended to discourage Israel from launching a major offensive in the densely populated southern Gaza city of Rafah, where over a million civilians are sheltering. The move has sparked bipartisan criticism, with Republicans accusing Biden of abandoning a key ally and some Democrats expressing concerns over the humanitarian impact of such an offensive.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) framed the bill as a necessary measure to ensure that Israel receives the support it needs to defend itself against Hamas. "The president said just not long ago that we had to have ironclad support for Israel. Well, that's what he previously proclaimed, but his actions are doing exactly the opposite," Johnson stated. He added that the administration's decision to withhold the bombs was a "catastrophic decision with global implications."
The bill mandates that any withheld weapons be delivered to Israel within 15 days of the bill's enactment. It also threatens to cut off funds from several executive-branch entities, including the State Department, Defense Department, and National Security Council, until the weapons are sent. This provision has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who argue that it undermines the president's executive authority and administrative discretion in implementing U.S. foreign policy.
Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized the bill as a "cynical political exercise" designed to sow division and advance a partisan agenda. "This is a misguided reaction to a deliberate distortion of the administration's approach to Israel," Meeks said. He emphasized that the Biden administration has not cut off all military aid to Israel but is instead focusing on preventing the use of heavy munitions that could result in significant civilian casualties.
Despite the opposition from Democratic leaders, 16 House Democrats broke ranks to support the bill. Among them was Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), who argued that the administration's pause on the bomb shipment sent the wrong message to Israel's adversaries. "The administration has been wavering, so I'm going to vote for the bill when it comes to the floor," Torres said.
The White House has indicated that President Biden would veto the bill if it passes Congress, and the Democratic-controlled Senate is unlikely to take it up. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has stated that the bill will not be considered in the upper chamber, effectively rendering the House vote largely symbolic.
The passage of the bill highlights the growing tensions within the Democratic Party over U.S. policy towards Israel. While some Democrats, particularly progressives, have been increasingly critical of Israel's military actions and its impact on Palestinian civilians, others remain staunchly supportive of Israel's right to defend itself. This internal divide has been exacerbated by the Biden administration's attempts to balance support for Israel with concerns over humanitarian issues in Gaza.
The administration's decision to pause the bomb shipment came after months of private pressure on Israel to minimize civilian casualties in its military campaign against Hamas. The White House has maintained that its commitment to Israel's security is unwavering, pointing to a recent $1 billion arms package for Israel that includes tank ammunition, tactical vehicles, and mortar rounds. However, the administration's growing criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza has fueled speculation about potential further restrictions on arms transfers.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated the administration's stance, emphasizing that while the U.S. supports Israel's right to defend itself, it also seeks to prevent excessive civilian casualties. "The president has been clear: We will always ensure Israel has what it needs to defend itself. Our commitment to Israel is ironclad," Sullivan said.
As the debate over U.S. military aid to Israel continues, the House vote underscores the complex and often contentious nature of American foreign policy in the Middle East. With the general election campaign gaining momentum, the issue is likely to remain a focal point of political discourse, reflecting broader divisions within both parties over the U.S. role in the region.