OKC Standard

On May 15, 2024, U.S. Senators Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jim Risch (R-ID), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and John Thune (R-SD) introduced a Senate resolution that condemns any action by the Biden Administration to withhold or restrict ammunition or weapons for Israel. The resolution is cosponsored by a total of 48 Republican senators.

“No one told America how to respond to terrorists after 9/11. Biden’s decision to withhold arms to our ally, Israel, is political and extremely dangerous. I’m glad to join my colleagues in condemning this decision and reminding the president that protecting Israel is in our U.S. national security interest,” said Senator Mullin.

Senator Graham expressed his concerns over the potential consequences of the administration's decision, saying, “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."

Other senators echoed these sentiments. Senator Britt criticized President Biden's "dithering doctrine of appeasement" while Senator Budd described the withholding of ammunition as a "total betrayal" of an ally. Senator Cotton argued that this move signalled support for a Hamas victory over Israel.

Senator Cruz pointed out that this policy has enabled hundreds of millions of dollars to flow into Gaza potentially funding Hamas terrorists while undermining Israeli allies. He stressed that the United States should fully support Israel's campaign against Hamas.

Senators Ernst, Marshall, Risch, Rubio and Thune also expressed their disappointment and concern over the Biden administration's decision, emphasizing the need for strong U.S. support for Israel.

The resolution is also cosponsored by a total of 36 other Republican senators. The full text of the resolution can be found here.