A bipartisan coalition of almost 20 Democrats has called on the State Department to provide detailed information regarding the Biden administration’s decisions to sell arms to Israel during its ongoing conflict with Hamas, all without explicit congressional approval.
Led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), this letter adds to the growing pressure from Democrats concerned about the U.S. role in the Gaza conflict, especially considering the administration’s bypassing of congressional notification on two occasions.
The lawmakers expressed their shared concern over the violence initiated by Hamas militants while also expressing profound disturbance over Israel’s “indiscriminate bombing” of Palestinians in Gaza.
The letter emphasizes the need for Congress to oversee these arms transfers, evaluating whether they align with humanitarian principles and U.S. law and whether they advance or harm U.S. national security.
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One notable point raised by the lawmakers is the unusual nature of the president bypassing congressional oversight through an emergency declaration. Citing the Arms Export Control Act, they highlight that emergency declaration authority has been used only 18 times in nearly 50 years, emphasizing the need to examine the decision-making process thoroughly.
The letter draws attention to the significant civilian casualties in the conflict, with more than 25,000 Palestinians reported killed by the Gaza Health Ministry. Of particular concern is the use of U.S. munitions in strikes that resulted in civilian deaths.
The lawmakers also express their unease about the decision to provide equipment for 155mm shells, which civil society organizations have warned poses a grave risk to civilians, especially in densely populated areas like Gaza.
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A key demand in the letter is for Secretary of State Antony Blinken to explain why the administration opted for emergency arms transfers instead of following the standard procedure of congressional notification. The lawmakers stress that using a national emergency waiver should not exempt the U.S. government from assessing whether arms sales adhere to established policies.
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Maxine Waters (D-Fla.), and 11 other lawmakers joined Warren and McGovern in signing the letter.
Recent reports suggest that the Biden administration is considering slowing down future weapons sales to Israel, signaling a desire to influence the Israeli military’s operations in Gaza.
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The move, if implemented, would be a strong indication of the administration’s pressure on the Israeli government to ease its military actions and potentially engage in talks for a Palestinian civilian government in Gaza, a proposition that Israeli officials have so far rejected.
As debates around the U.S. role in the Gaza conflict intensify, this letter reflects a growing sentiment among Democrats to scrutinize the decision-making process regarding arms sales and ensure transparency in actions that impact both international relations and humanitarian considerations.
The call for answers points out the importance of Congressional oversight and a comprehensive examination of the policies guiding U.S. involvement in the conflict.
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