Senate Rejects Resolutions to Block U.S. Arms Sales to Israel Amid Democratic Rift

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – The U.S. Senate overwhelmingly rejected two resolutions Wednesday that sought to block arms sales to Israel, as lawmakers debated America’s ongoing support for its closest ally in the Middle East amid growing concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza.

The resolutions, introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I–Vt.), aimed to halt the export of more than 5,000 bombs, guidance kits, and 20,000 firearms to Israel in light of its military campaign against Hamas. The measures failed by votes of 73–24 and 70–27, respectively. Despite the lopsided results, the votes highlighted a sharp and growing divide within the Democratic Party over Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict.

“American taxpayer dollars are being used to starve children, bomb schools, kill civilians, and support the cruelty of Netanyahu and his criminal ministers,” Sanders said on the Senate floor, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “That is why I have brought these two resolutions of disapproval.”

Republicans unanimously opposed the resolutions, and many Democrats joined them. Sen. Jim Risch (R–Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, denounced the proposals as harmful to U.S. interests and supportive of Hamas tactics.

“These are misguided resolutions,” Risch said. “If adopted, they would reinstate the failed policies of the Biden administration and abandon America’s closest ally in the Middle East. Hamas uses civilians as human shields and steals aid. These are not good people. It is in America’s interest that this terrorist group be destroyed.”

Israel launched its military campaign in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 taken hostage. According to Israel, 49 hostages from that day remain in Gaza, in addition to one held since 2014. In contrast, the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims over 60,000 deaths since the war began—figures that do not distinguish between combatants and civilians and remain unverified by independent sources.

Despite the Senate’s rejection, the resolutions exposed a significant shift among Senate Democrats. A majority of Democratic senators supported at least one of the two measures, with 27 voting to block the arms deal. Only months ago, a similar measure by Sanders drew just 15 votes in April and 18 in November 2024.

Sen. Patty Murray (D–Wash.), a senior Democrat who voted for the resolutions, signaled her growing frustration with Israel’s military strategy. “This legislative tool is not perfect, but frankly, it is time to say enough to the suffering of innocent young children and families,” she said. “As a longtime friend and supporter of Israel, I am voting yes to send a message: The Netanyahu government cannot continue with this strategy.”

According to Politico, twelve Democrats who had never before voted against arms sales to Israel reversed course. Sen. Angus King (I–Maine), who caucuses with the Democrats, said the humanitarian toll in Gaza pushed him over the edge. “I kept expecting that Israel would wake up and realize what an awful thing they were perpetuating,” he said. “They just continued to not do it, and I just reached the point where enough was enough.”

Other Democrats who broke with tradition included Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, Jack Reed, Sheldon Whitehouse, Tammy Baldwin, Martin Heinrich, Jon Ossoff, Raphael Warnock, Tammy Duckworth, and new senators Lisa Blunt Rochester and Angela Alsobrooks.

Still, support for Israel remains strong among most Republicans and a sizable portion of Democrats who view the conflict as a necessary fight against terrorism. Sen. Risch emphasized that Hamas, not Israel, bears responsibility for Gaza’s suffering. “They use the people of Gaza as human shields, and they steal the food that the people of Gaza need,” he said. “It is in the interest of America and the world to see this terrorist group destroyed.”

With the resolutions defeated, arms shipments to Israel are expected to proceed, even as debate within Congress over the nature and future of U.S.–Israel relations intensifies.

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