Growing numbers of Senate Democrats have joined an effort to block a Biden administration move that could further reduce congressional oversight of U.S. military aid to Israel. On Thursday, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine said 21 other Democratic senators have now joined in an amendment that that would keep congressional involvement on aid to Israel’s military on the same level as that for all other foreign militaries.
Quick Read
- Senate Democrats’ Opposition: A growing number of Senate Democrats are opposing a plan by the Biden administration that might reduce the congressional oversight of U.S. military aid to Israel.
- Tim Kaine’s Amendment: Senator Tim Kaine, along with 21 other Democratic senators, is backing an amendment to ensure that congressional involvement in military aid to Israel remains equivalent to that for other foreign militaries.
- Initiative’s Origin: The move to leverage U.S. military aid to Israel, aiming to decrease civilian casualties in Gaza, was initially championed by more progressive lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders.
- Biden Administration’s Stance: The administration has consistently resisted these efforts. It has twice declared national security emergencies to approve arms sales to Israel without Congress’s involvement, amid the conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
- Supplemental Funding Request: President Biden has requested supplemental funding from Congress, amounting to $14 billion for Israel. This includes a provision allowing the administration to bypass congressional notification for military aid if it’s deemed essential for U.S. national security by the Secretary of State.
- Supporting Senators: Senators supporting Kaine’s amendment include Amy Klobuchar, Sheldon Whitehouse, Tammy Baldwin, Cory Booker, Tom Carper, Jeanne Shaheen, and others.
The Associated Press has the story:
22 Dem US Senators move to keep Biden from weakening congressional oversight of aid to Israel
Newslooks- WASHINGTON — (AP)
Growing numbers of Senate Democrats have joined an effort to block a Biden administration move that could further reduce congressional oversight of U.S. military aid to Israel.
On Thursday, Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine said 21 other Democratic senators have now joined in an amendment that that would keep congressional involvement on aid to Israel’s military on the same level as that for all other foreign militaries.
Various moves in the Senate to leverage U.S. military aid to Israel to reduce civilian deaths and suffering in Gaza started with more left-leaning lawmakers, including independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.
The Biden administration has resisted any such move. Since the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza started, the Biden administration also has twice invoked a national security emergency to approve arms transfers to Israel without involving Congress.
Biden also has submitted a supplemental funding request to Congress that would allow the administration to waive congressional notification requirements on military aid to Israel if Secretary of State Antony Blinken deems that in the interest of U.S. national security. Biden is asking for $14 billion for Israel in the supplemental.
The senators who Kaine said have agreed to support his amendment countering that include Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Sheldon Whitehouse, Tammy Baldwin, Cory Booker, Tom Carper, Jeanne Shaheen and others.
