(TheProudRepublic.com) – The House struck a huge blow to Joe Biden for pausing a shipment of bombs to Israel, passing legislation that seeks to force the weapons transfer as Republicans worked to highlight Democratic divisions over the Israel-Hamas war.
The Biden administration had previously halted a shipment of 3,500 bombs to discourage an Israeli offensive in Rafah, a densely populated area in southern Gaza.
GOP leaders expedited the legislation to the House floor while stirring intensely, which reflected Washington’s deeply divided views on the conflict.
While the White House and Democratic leadership sought to unify their members, ranging from moderates to progressives, the discussions revealed stark differences in perspective.
Republicans staunchly opposed Biden’s interference in how Israel utilizes the weapons, which are crucial in its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Despite the Biden administration advancing a new $1 billion sale of military equipment to Israel, Republican dissatisfaction remained.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell expressed his frustration, stating, “I don’t think we should tell the Israelis how to conduct their military campaign, period.”
Moreover, the proposed House bill criticized the Democrat’s decision to pause the bomb deliveries and threatened to withhold funding from the State Department, the Department of Defense, and the National Security Council until the weapons were dispatched.
However, the White House indicated that Biden would veto the bill should it pass, and it is expected to face rejection in the Democratic-led Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer confirmed its dim prospects, saying, “It’s not going anywhere.”
Yet, House Republicans remained determined, using this legislation to underscore Democratic divisions and apply pressure on Schumer and Biden.
Speaker Mike Johnson accused both Biden and Schumer of obstructing vital support for Israel, claiming, “It is President Biden and Senator Schumer himself who are standing in the way of getting Israel the resources it desperately needs to defend itself.”
In response to potential support for the GOP bill among Democrats, the White House engaged in intensive discussions with lawmakers, which included a classified briefing on the security situation.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the GOP-led bill and emphasized its lack of seriousness in strengthening U.S.-Israel relations.
He voiced support for decisively defeating Hamas while advocating for an Israel that can coexist peacefully and securely alongside a demilitarized Palestinian state.
Despite criticism of Biden’s decision, some Democrats, like Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, opposed the bill and argued it threatened U.S. national security funding for political gains.
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