Democrats Question Biden's 'Highly Unusual' Arms Sales to Israel

Lawmakers call for congressional oversight, citing concerns over potential violations of U.S. policy and international law.

19 Democrats, led by Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Jim McGovern, have written to Secretary of State Antony Blinken questioning the Biden administration's decision to approve two arms sales to Israel without congressional authorization.
The lawmakers argue that it is 'highly unusual' for the president to bypass congressional oversight through an emergency declaration, a power that has only been used 18 times in nearly 50 years.
The U.S. State Department approved a $106 million sale of nearly 14,000 tank shells in mid-December, followed by a $147 million sale of primers, fuzes, and charges for Israel’s 155 mm artillery shells two weeks later.
The lawmakers are concerned that the weapons provided by the U.S. could be used in a manner that violates U.S. policy and international law, and have called for Congress to be able to conduct oversight of these arms transfers.
The Biden administration is reportedly looking to slow future weapons sales to Israel in an effort to temper its military operation in Gaza.