Two of Vermont independent Senator Bernie Sanders’ disapproval resolutions on Israel received unprecedented support from Democrats on Wednesday, as only seven voted against blocking arms sales to Israel.
Both measures failed without Republican support but drew backing from a majority of Democrats, reflecting ongoing divisions within the party over its stance on Israel ahead of the midterm elections.
What To Know
The Senate voted on two of Sanders’ joint resolutions of disapproval (JRD) on Wednesday to block more than about a half-billion in U.S. arms sales to Israel amid the war with Iran and its ongoing bombardments of Lebanon. Sanders, a longtime critic of U.S. military intervention, has repeatedly introduced resolutions to block U.S. arms sales to Israel during the war in Gaza.
One of the measures, S.J. Res.32, was to block about $295 million worth of sales of Caterpillar bulldozers to Israel. The U.S., Israel’s top diplomatic and financial ally, provides more than $3.8 billion in annual military aid. William D. Hartung, senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute, estimates that the U.S. spent an additional $21.7 billion since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, and Israel’s subsequent years-long military actions.
“U.S. taxpayers have spent tens of billions of dollars in support of the racist, extremist Netanyahu government. Enough is enough,” Sanders said on Tuesday. “The United States must use the leverage we have—tens of billions in arms and military aid—to demand that Israel ends these atrocities.”
Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, with two independents who caucus with Democrats.
List of Senators Who Voted Against the Measure
- Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, New York
- Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut
- Jacky Rosen, Nevada
- Chris Coons, Delaware
- Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada
- John Fetterman, Pennsylvania
- Kirsten Gillibrand, New York
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, called out Schumer in a Wednesday X post, writing: “Chuck Schumer was one of 7 Senate Democrats to vote to send bulldozers to Israel. 40 Democratic Senators voted no. Mr. Schumer, you are out of touch with our base and the nation. Step aside.”
Americans are expressing increasingly unfavorable views of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. The survey of 3,507 U.S. adults conducted March 23-29 found that 60 percent of U.S. adults have an unfavorable view of Israel, up from 53 percent last year.
In both political parties, majorities of adults under age 50 now rate Israel and Netanyahu negatively, according to the survey.
In a second resolution, the Senate voted 63-36, with 11 Democrats voting against. Sanders noted the support in an X post writing: “Today, more than 80% of the Democratic caucus stood with the American people and voted to block U.S. military aid to Netanyahu and his horrific, illegal wars.”
What Happens Next
As candidates ramp up for this year’s midterm elections—with Democrats aiming to make significant gains and trying to take control of Congress—Israel and its wars in Lebanon and Iran are emerging as central issues in the political debate.
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