New House Bill Aims to Unblock Arms Transfers to Israel

Four Republican leaders of the House Appropriations Committee unveiled a bill May 11 that would require the Biden administration to stop holding up shipments of approved offensive weapons to Israel.

The lawmakers said their proposed Israel Security Assistance Support Act is needed to ensure Israel can defend itself against Hamas and other threats. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, announced the legislation with the support of full committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce, R-Ohio.

The House Rules Committee plans to take up the bill May 14, possibly paving the way for floor consideration this week. However, the legislation faces an uphill fight in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters May 13 that the administration opposes the bill because it “attempts to constrain the president’s ability to deploy U.S. security assistance consistent with U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.” She said the administration so far has paused only one shipment, which includes 2,000-pound bombs, because it is concerned that the weapons could cause heavy civilian casualties if Israel conducts a major military operation in the Gaza city of Rafah.