The House of Representatives has approved the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, H.R. 8369, with a vote of 224 to 187. The bill was introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41), Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and cosponsored by Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK), State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), and Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman David Joyce (R-OH). The legislation mandates the delivery of defense weapons to Israel.
“The passage of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act sends another strong message that the U.S. House of Representatives stands with our ally Israel in its mission to protect and defend its citizens,” said Rep. Calvert. “It’s both sad and frustrating that President Biden’s political decision to withhold aid to Israel is now forcing Congress to exert our Constitutional power of the purse and demand the delivery of this security assistance following an overwhelming and bipartisan vote supporting Israel just a few weeks ago. The will of Congress and the American people must be carried out in support of Israel.”
Speaker Mike Johnson commented on the bill's significance: “The Biden Administration’s decision to withhold weapons is catastrophic and goes directly against the will of Congress. With the passage of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, we send a clear message of solidarity and support to Israel and demand the urgent delivery of defense weapons to our most important ally in the Middle East.”
Chairman Cole emphasized moral clarity in his statement: “You either stand with Israel and their right to self-defense against terrorists who wish our ally and America harm—or accept sending a dangerous message of weakness to our enemies. This bill demands accountability and supports freedom. It holds President Biden answerable to the law and ensures we uphold our promises to our partners."
State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee Chairman Diaz-Balart criticized current policies: “The Israel Security Assistance Support Act mandates that President Biden follow the law – a law that he requested and signed – to send weapons to our friend and ally, Israel... We must ensure that Israel has what it needs to eradicate Hamas, which vows Israel’s destruction.”
Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman Joyce drew parallels with past events: “After 9/11, the United States would not have taken direction from our allies on how to defend our nation... As their ally, we must support Israel’s right to defend itself.”