The Procedural Committee of the House of Representatives approved a bill that requires the American administration to ensure uninterrupted arms supplies to Israel. The meeting was streamed on the committee’s website.
Nine lawmakers supported the document, while four opposed it. The bill, introduced at the initiative of the Republicans, emphasizes that the lawmakers “condemn the decision of the [US President Joe] Biden administration to halt the transfer of some weapons to Israel.” It is noted that the White House made this decision “without consulting Congress.” According to the document, the Washington administration should promptly ensure the previously approved transfer of arms to Israel.
The bill includes a ban on the use of budgetary funds for purposes related to the suspension of military aid to Israel, as well as the payment of salaries to employees of the Pentagon and State Department who obstruct the provision of arms to the Jewish state. Other restrictions related to the funding of these American agencies may also be introduced.
The full House of Representatives may soon consider the bill. According to assessments by relevant media, it is unlikely that the document will receive Senate approval. The White House stated that Biden will veto the bill if approved by Congress.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre criticized attempts by American lawmakers to compel the Washington administration to ensure uninterrupted arms supplies to Israel. She noted that the White House “categorically rejects attempts to limit the President’s capabilities to allocate military assistance in line with US foreign policy and national security objectives.”
Biden said in an interview with CNN on May 8 that the US would halt arms shipments to Israel in the event of a major military operation in the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. On the same day, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin explained that Washington was reviewing some types of short-term military assistance to Israel in connection with the situation around Rafah. His statements indicated that the delivery of high-explosive bombs was temporarily suspended. On May 10, the White House clarified that there was a pause, not a cessation, of arms deliveries to Israel. As the State Department specified, while the transfer of only one batch of ammunition to Israel was suspended, other military supplies were also being reviewed.