The House recently voted to pass a GOP-led bill that aims to compel the delivery of defensive weapons to Israel, in response to President Biden’s handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The bill would prevent Biden from withholding approved weapons transfers to Israel, and requires any withheld weapons to be delivered within 15 days of the bill’s enactment. It is unlikely to pass in the Democratic-led Senate, and the White House has indicated that Biden would veto the bill if it reaches his desk.
The legislation would cut off funding from key executive-branch entities until any withheld weapons are sent to Israel. President Biden had previously stated that he would halt some shipments of American weapons to Israel if a major invasion of Rafah were to occur. This move has sparked pushback from lawmakers in both parties, with Biden facing pressure to limit arms shipments amid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite this, the Biden administration has begun the early stages of a new $1 billion arms deal for Israel.
House Democratic leaders have been urging their caucus to vote against the GOP bill, arguing that it would restrict Biden’s executive authority and administrative discretion in implementing foreign policy. Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, noted that while Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas, the bill could have significant national security impacts by removing checks, oversight, and accountability for arms sales.
The House legislation also condemns the Biden administration’s decision to pause certain arms transfers to Israel and calls for the quick approval of all previously sanctioned arms transfers. The administration believes that Israel is prepared for a full-scale incursion into Rafah, but it is unclear whether a final decision has been made. The bill aims to address concerns raised by lawmakers from both parties regarding the handling of arms transfers to Israel, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Biden’s announcement regarding the conditional nature of military aid to Israel marks a turning point. The administration has paused the shipment of certain weapons to Israel, citing opposition to their potential use in densely populated areas like Rafah. The vote in the House reflects the ongoing debate within Congress over the appropriate response to the conflict and the implications of US arms sales to Israel. The bill’s passage represents an effort by Republicans to push back against Biden’s approach to the conflict, while Democrats raise concerns about the impact on national security and foreign policy decision-making.
