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Congress·In Committee·11 months ago

Senator Sanders Introduces Resolution to Block Sale of Thousands of Bombs and Guidance Kits to Israel

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
Senate
House
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • Senator Bernie Sanders introduced a plan to stop the U.S. government from selling a large batch of weapons to Israel. This specific sale includes over 20,000 items, such as 500-pound bombs and kits that turn regular bombs into "smart bombs" using GPS guidance.
  • The resolution targets a specific deal that was officially reported to Congress on February 10, 2025. If passed, it would legally prevent the delivery of these weapons, which include thousands of Small Diameter Bombs and various types of fuzes used to detonate explosives.
  • This move comes during ongoing debates about U.S. military support for Israel. Supporters of the ban often express concerns about how these weapons are used in conflict zones, while those who want the sale to go through argue that blocking it could weaken a key ally's ability to defend itself.
  • For this ban to take effect, it would need to pass both the Senate and the House of Representatives and then be signed by the President. If the President vetoes the measure, Congress would need a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers to override that veto and stop the sale.
National Security Foreign Policy

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions
Apr 3, 2025Senate

Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 15 - 83. Record Vote Number: 166. (consideration: CR S2152-2158)

Feb 25, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Feb 25, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

2025

Senate Foreign Relations Committee decides whether to advance the resolution

If the committee doesn't act on it, the resolution effectively dies and the arms sale to Israel proceeds as planned. Given strong bipartisan support for Israel in Congress, the resolution faces very steep odds.

Vote Results

1 vote
SenateFailedProceduralApr 3, 2025

On the Motion to Discharge

15
83
Democrat
14 – 29 · 2
Republican
0 – 53
Independent
1 – 1
View full roll call

Related News

6 articles
The Times of Israel·11 months ago

US Senate overwhelmingly votes down Sanders' motions to block arms sales to Israel

The U.S. Senate rejected two resolutions by Sen. Bernie Sanders to block $8.8 billion in bombs and munitions for Israel. The measures, targeting Joint Direct Attack Munitions and 500-pound bombs, failed with only 15 senators voting in favor as the Republican majority upheld the Trump-era sales.

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Bloomberg Government·11 months ago

Senate Rejects Sanders' Push to Block US Arms Sales to Israel

The Senate voted against discharging S.J. Res. 33 and S.J. Res. 26, which sought to halt $8.8 billion in weapons transfers. Sen. Sanders argued the sales violate human rights laws, while opponents stated the aid is essential for Israel's security against regional threats.

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National Review·11 months ago

Senate Overwhelmingly Rejects Sanders's Resolutions to Halt Trump Administration's Israel Aid

Senators soundly defeated a pair of resolutions from Bernie Sanders intended to block nearly $9 billion in arms sales. Critics of the measure, including GOP leadership, described the effort as an abandonment of a key ally during a pivotal moment for global security.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of certain defense articles and services.

Bill NumberSJRES 26
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionMotion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 15 - 83. Record Vote Number: 166. (consideration: CR S2152-2158)

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Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.