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Sen. Bernie Sanders to introduce resolution of disapproval on $735 million U.S. arms sale to Israel

The action comes as Biden calls for a ‘significant de-escalation of hostilities’ between Israel and Hamas

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May 20, 2021 at 10:14 a.m. EDT
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) arrives before President Biden addresses a joint session of Congress on April 28. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post)

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) introduced a resolution on Thursday disapproving of the U.S. sale of $735 million in precision-guided weapons to Israel, according to a draft obtained by The Washington Post.

The resolution aims to halt the planned sale to Israel by the Biden administration of JDAMs, or joint direct attack munitions, and small-diameter bombs, as the worst hostilities in years continue between Israel and Hamas. The resolution needs only a simple majority to pass the Senate, but if it were to be vetoed by President Biden, it would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to take effect.