On May 16, the House passed a bill prohibiting the Biden administration from withholding military assistance or services to Israel.
The Israel Security Assistance Support Act, introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.), passed with a 224-187 vote. The bill saw support from 208 Republicans and 16 Democrats, while 184 Democrats and three Republicans voted against it.
This move follows the administration’s decision to halt a shipment of bombs and munitions to Israel due to Washington’s concerns about a potential full-scale Israeli operation in the Gazan city of Rafah.
The bill mandates that any withheld U.S. defense assistance and services to Israel be resumed within 15 days of enactment. If this does not occur, Congress will withhold funding for the National Security Council and the offices of the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State until the defense articles or services are delivered.
The White House and House Democrat leadership oppose the bill.
“The legislation would constitute an unprecedented limitation on President Biden’s executive authority and administrative discretion to implement U.S. foreign policy,” said House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) in a message to House Democrats, urging them to vote against the bill.
The measure requires the State Department and