WASHINGTON – Led by Republicans home A vote on Thursday passed a bill that would limit the president’s arms transfers to Israel, drawing attention to a divided Democratic caucus. War in Gaza.
The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 224-187. Sixteen Democrats voted for the legislation, including Rep. Thomas Suozzi of New York; Jared Moskowitz of Florida; and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey. Only three Republicans opposed the measure.
The vote was largely symbolic — the bill is not expected to pass on the other side of the Capitol. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., declared the act dead on arrival, noting that the measure is “going nowhere.”
Passage of the Israel Security Assistance Act, which would prevent federal funds from being used to provide defense services or weapons to Israel, follows shortly after. The White House is suspended Sending arms to a US ally.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., welcomed the bill’s passage while criticizing the Biden administration’s withholding of some weapons from Israel. including A 2,000-pound bomb and a 500-pound bomb.
“The Biden Administration’s decision to keep guns is disastrous and directly contrary to the will of Congress,” Johnson said.
He added that the passage of the act “sends a clear message of solidarity and support to Israel and calls for the immediate delivery of defensive weapons to our most important ally in the Middle East.”
President Joe Biden said in an interview with CNN last week that the United States will not provide certain weapons to Israel if its military occupies the southern Gaza city of Rafah. In the same interview, Biden said that Israel used 2,000-pound bombs to kill Palestinian civilians.
The White House on Tuesday reiterated its opposition to the House GOP bill, saying it would “undermine the President’s ability to conduct effective foreign policy.” The statement also states that Biden will veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
“The bill is a misguided response to the Administration’s deliberate misrepresentation of Israel.” statement he said. “The president has been clear: we will always ensure that Israel has everything it needs to defend itself.”