Overview

• On July 30, Sen. Bernie Sanders filed S.J.Res.34 and S.J.Res.41 to block nearly $675 million in small arms and munitions sales to Israel.
• The resolutions will trigger Senate votes this week, testing Republican unity and exposing deepening divides among Democrats over humanitarian and strategic priorities.
• A White House statement of administration policy warns that President Trump’s advisors would recommend vetoing either joint resolution if passed.
• Sanders and fellow progressives point to images of starving children in Gaza and accuse Prime Minister Netanyahu of mass civilian harm to press for aid conditions.
• Senate Republicans uniformly oppose any restrictions on arms transfers, and some Democrats signal willingness to condition future aid over civilian protection concerns.