The House of Representatives passed a Republican-backed bill on Thursday designed to restrict President Joe Biden's ability to withhold weapons transfers to Israel. The Israel Security Assistance Support Act passed with a vote of 224-187, highlighting the stark partisan split and drawing attention to the internal rifts within the Democratic caucus over the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Sixteen Democrats, including Representatives Thomas Suozzi of New York, Jared Moskowitz of Florida, and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, crossed party lines to support the measure. Conversely, only three Republicans opposed the bill, which seeks to prevent federal funds from being used to withhold defense services or weapons from Israel. Despite the bill's passage in the House, it is not expected to be taken up in the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has indicated that the measure is "not going anywhere."
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., criticized the Biden administration's decision to delay certain weapons shipments to Israel, such as 2,000-pound and 500-pound bombs. "The Biden Administration's decision to withhold weapons is catastrophic and goes directly against the will of Congress," Johnson stated, emphasizing that the bill's passage sends "a clear message of solidarity and support to Israel" and demands "the urgent delivery of defense weapons to our most important ally in the Middle East."
President Biden, in a recent interview with CNN, explained that the U.S. would not supply certain weapons if Israel invades the southern Gaza city of Rafah, noting that these bombs have been used to kill Palestinian civilians. The White House reiterated its opposition to the House GOP bill, arguing that it would "undermine the President's ability to execute an effective foreign policy" and stated that Biden would veto the measure if it reached his desk.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson criticized the bill as a "deliberate distortion" of Biden's policy, asserting that it was "intended to score political points, not help Israel." She added, "President Biden will take a back seat to no one on his support for Israel and will ensure that Israel has everything it needs to defeat Hamas. President Biden is also strongly on the record for the protection of innocent civilians."
Ahead of the House vote, a group of about 20 pro-Palestinian congressional staffers demonstrated, calling on Biden and Congress to "immediately end U.S. support for Israel's assault on the civilians of Gaza." Samantha Elghanayan, a staffer for Rep. Ro Khanna, participated in the protest, emphasizing she was doing so on her personal time.
Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., responded by calling for the staffers to be fired, stating, "They have no business taking taxpayer money, which is what they're doing when they come during work hours to protest, and wasting that taxpayer money to voice their opinion that, frankly, nobody asked them for."
The Israel Security Assistance Support Act arrives amid heightened tensions and humanitarian crises in Gaza, where Palestinian authorities report significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction. The conflict has prompted a renewed focus on U.S. foreign policy and military aid to Israel, a longstanding ally.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the bill, describing it as "not a serious effort at legislation," and accused Republicans of distorting Biden's position on Israel. He noted that some of the most pro-Israel members of the House Democratic caucus would vote against the measure.
Despite the delayed shipment of bombs, Israel is still set to receive billions of dollars in U.S. military aid. The State Department recently moved a $1 billion weapons package for Israel into the congressional review process, underscoring the ongoing support despite political maneuvering and legislative challenges.
