Republicans Demand Biden Address Decision to Stall Bomb Deliveries to Israel

Republicans Call on Biden to Address Decision to Halt Bomb Deliveries to Israel

May 9, 2024 TruthUSA

Two Republican senators have requested President Biden to confirm the nature of munitions deliveries that are currently on hold and provide an explanation for the delay.

A pair of Republican senators are demanding clarifications from President Joe Biden regarding his administration’s decision to halt the delivery of specific types of bombs to Israeli forces.

Reports from Axios and The Wall Street Journal suggest that the Biden administration has temporarily suspended the shipment of certain munitions, including up to 6,500 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and Small Diameter Bombs. The administration has not officially confirmed these delays. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.) have called on President Biden to address these reports and provide explanations by May 20.

In a letter sent to President Biden and made public on Tuesday, the senators expressed their shock over the reported withholding of critical ammunition to Israel, questioning the administration’s commitment to the country. They urged the president to disclose any types of munitions deliveries currently delayed and the reasons behind the holdup.

During a Senate hearing, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed the delay in weapons deliveries to Israel, citing the administration’s concerns about a potential Israeli military operation in Rafah. The administration is reviewing the situation and evaluating the impact on civilian lives within Rafah.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s push for a significant military operation in Rafah to combat Hamas remains at odds with the Biden administration’s warnings about the risks of civilian casualties. The administration continues to monitor the situation closely.

Sen. Jerry Moran questioned Secretary Austin about the implications of pausing weapons deliveries to Israel, expressing concerns about conditional U.S. support and its potential impact on Israel’s adversaries. Austin clarified that the delay is not a final decision and is related to the protection of civilians in Rafah.

The letter from Senators Ernst and Budd also inquired about the lack of notification to Congress before the delay in weapons shipments and asked for assurance of future communication regarding any further delays.

Political divisions over foreign aid for Israel and Ukraine have further complicated the situation, with some Republicans supporting the aid package, while a portion of President Biden’s party has raised objections to U.S. support for Israel’s military efforts.

The senators pressed President Biden to align his support for foreign aid packages with the reported decision to delay munitions deliveries to Israel, emphasizing the importance of providing necessary security assistance to the country.

Secretary Austin clarified that the delayed weapons shipment was not part of the recent aid supplemental, addressing concerns raised by lawmakers about the impact of the delay on appropriations.

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