WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today voted to block certain offensive weapons sales to Israel. The Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRD), offered by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), would block the Trump Administration’s sale of more than $8 billion in offensive weaponry—including 2,000-pound bombs and weapons that have killed civilians—to the Government of Israel. The U.S. Department of State bypassed Congressional approval to supply military assistance, invoking an emergency declaration, giving Congress insufficient time to review the sale.
Senator Welch posted a video before voting for the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, saying:
“The war in Gaza that started on October 7th is now in its 18th horrifying month. Israeli hostages are still in Gaza. The death toll of Palestinians innocent Palestinians has exceeded 50,000 people—women and children, including journalists, aid workers. There’s no end in sight,” said Senator Welch. “We had a ceasefire that is now over, and the violence is continuing. The Trump Administration wants to send arms, including 2,000-pound bombs, to the Netanyahu government. I opposed these offensive weapons sales to Israel during the Biden Administration. I will oppose these offensive weapons sales to the Israeli government. During the Trump Administration, I will join Senator Sanders in voting to block the sale of these offensive weapons to Israel. Sending more offensive weapons, particularly these 2,000-pound bombs, will not make Israelis or Palestinians safer or get us closer to a peaceful resolution.”
View Senator Welch’s video here:
Read more about S.J.Res 33 and S.J.Res 26 here
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