Overview

• Two Sanders-led measures to block $675 million in bombs and 20,000 assault rifles failed in the Senate by 73-24 and 70-27 votes
• For the first time, a majority of Senate Democrats backed the resolutions, with 24 supporting the bomb shipment ban and 27 backing the assault rifle prohibition
• Every Senate Republican voted against both measures and the White House indicated President Trump would veto them if they cleared Congress
• Supporters cited U.S. statutes barring arms transfers to forces implicated in human rights abuses and warned of a man-made famine and child starvation in Gaza
• A Gallup poll this week found only 32 percent of Americans and 8 percent of Democrats approve of Israel’s military action in Gaza, reflecting eroding public support