The Biden administration has notified key lawmakers that it will be sending over $1 billion in arms and ammunition to Israel, marking the first arms shipment to Israel announced since a previous transfer of 3,500 bombs was put on hold earlier in the month. The administration paused the previous transfer to prevent Israel from using the bombs in its ongoing offensive in Rafah, Gaza. The new package includes tank ammunition, tactical vehicles, and mortar rounds. The exact timing of the shipment was not immediately clear, but the move comes as Israel continues its conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
House Republicans had been planning to push a bill this week that would mandate the delivery of offensive weaponry to Israel, reacting to the Biden administration’s decision to pause the bomb shipment. However, the White House has made it known that President Biden would veto the bill if it were to pass Congress. While the bill is unlikely to make it through the Democratic-controlled Senate, there is some division among House Democrats on the issue. Roughly two dozen House Democrats have signed onto a letter expressing concerns about the message conveyed by pausing the bomb shipment.
The White House has been in communication with lawmakers and congressional aides regarding the legislation, reiterating its opposition to any attempts to limit the President’s ability to deploy U.S. security assistance in alignment with foreign policy and national security objectives. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the administration intends to utilize all funds allocated by Congress in the national security supplemental package signed into law by President Biden last month. The administration remains committed to ensuring that U.S. security assistance is consistent with national security goals.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported the plans to send the arms package to Israel, which includes funds for tank ammunition, tactical vehicles, and mortar rounds. The administration’s decision has sparked debate among lawmakers, with House Republicans advocating for the delivery of offensive weaponry to Israel, while the White House has made it clear that President Biden would veto any legislation attempting to restrict his authority over U.S. security assistance. The administration plans to fully utilize the funds allocated by Congress for national security purposes.
Congressional aides who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the arms transfer noted that the package being sent to Israel includes $700 million for tank ammunition, $500 million for tactical vehicles, and $60 million for mortar rounds. The administration’s decision to pause a previous transfer of 3,500 bombs had drawn criticism from House Republicans, who accused the administration of abandoning a key ally in the Middle East. The White House has reaffirmed its commitment to deploying security assistance consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives, while also engaging with lawmakers and congressional aides on the issue.
While House Democrats are somewhat divided on the issue of arms transfers to Israel, roughly two dozen have signed onto a letter expressing concerns about the pause in bomb shipments. The Biden administration’s veto threat against a bill mandating the delivery of offensive weaponry to Israel underscores the ongoing debate within Congress over U.S. security assistance. Despite the opposition from some lawmakers, the White House remains committed to utilizing allocated funds for national security purposes and ensuring that security assistance aligns with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.
