White House bypasses Congress for second time to sell weapons to Israel

The Biden administration decided for the second time in December to approve the emergency sale of weapons to Israel to help it fight Hamas in Gaza.

The State Department announced on Friday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Congress that he had made a second emergency determination to cover over $147.5 million in equipment sales. These sales include fuses, charges, and primers required to complete the 155 mm shells the Jewish state purchased work.

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“Given the urgency of Israel’s defensive needs, the secretary notified Congress that he had exercised his delegated authority to determine an emergency existed, necessitating the immediate approval of the transfer,” the department confirmed in its statement.

“The United States is committed to the security of Israel, and it is vital to U.S. national interests to ensure Israel can defend itself against the threats it faces,” it added.

The determination is an emergency provision in the Arms Export Control Act that allows the State Department to bypass Congress’ role as reviewer of all foreign military sales. The practice is intended to be rare and only for when the State Department has identified an actual emergency. Blinken called on these powers on Dec. 9 to send additional tank ammunition over to Israel as well.

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The decision was made as President Joe Biden’s request for nearly $106 billion in aid for Israel, Ukraine, and other countries stalls in Congress. The stalling arose due to a debate over adequately managing border security.

Senate Democrats have called for various provisions to be added to the call for aid, including demands from members of the “Squad” to require a ceasefire in Israel.