Palmetto State News

On May 9, 2024, a group of U.S. Senators led by Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) introduced a Senate resolution condemning any action by the Biden Administration to withhold or restrict ammunition or weapons for Israel. The resolution was cosponsored by 48 Republican senators.

The Senators held a press conference earlier in the day to discuss the resolution. Senator Graham stated, “If President Biden continues with his decision to withhold or restrict ammunition and weapons to Israel, he and his administration will have destroyed the last, best chance to build on the Abraham Accords and bring peace to the Middle East for generations."

Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) criticized President Biden's approach towards Israel, saying that his "dithering doctrine of appeasement and legacy of weakness threaten to break that promise." She urged unequivocal support for Israel as it fights against Hamas' reign of terror.

Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) called President Biden's decision a "total betrayal" of Israel and argued that withholding lethal aid would embolden Hamas terrorists. Similarly, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) accused President Biden of siding with Hamas over Israel.

Several other senators expressed their concern over President Biden's stance towards Israel. They criticized his decision as dangerous, political, and damaging to U.S.-Israel relations. They also emphasized the importance of standing with Israel in its fight against terrorism.

The resolution condemns any decision by the Biden Administration to halt the shipment of United States made ammunition and weapons to Israel. It demands that military aid requests from Israel be fulfilled promptly and reaffirms the commitment of the United States to Israel’s security and long-term prosperity.

In addition to those mentioned above, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Boozman (R-Arkansas), Mike Braun (R-Indiana), Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Virginia), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Rounds(R-South Dakota) Eric Schmitt(R-Missouri) Rick Scott(R-Florida) Tim Scott(R-South Carolina) Dan Sullivan(R-Alaska) Thom Tillis(R-North Carolina) Tommy Tuberville(R-Alabama) J.D. Vance(R-Ohio) Roger Wicker(R-Mississippi) and Todd Young(R-Indiana) also cosponsored the resolution.