The Senate on Tuesday tabled a measure sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) that would have frozen U.S. aid to Israel unless the Biden administration commissioned a report on alleged human rights abuses in Gaza.
The resolution, which was snuffed out in a 72-11 vote, marks a sharp rebuke of the progressives demanding conditions on U.S. aid following the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. But it also put on display divisions within the Democratic Party amid an Israeli counteroffensive that has killed thousands in Gaza.
Most Democrats joined Republicans in tabling the measure, and even the White House had admonished Sanders for calling a vote, but the resolution nonetheless attracted the support of nearly a dozen senators, all Democrats except Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY).
Ordinarily, a rank-and-file member cannot bring legislation to the floor without the consent of the majority leader. But Sanders filed the resolution as privileged under a never-before-used provision of the Foreign Assistance Act. Specifically, he attempted to discharge the resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at a simple majority threshold.
Republicans have used the divide as a political cudgel against the Democrats. On Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) called the measure a “performative” stunt that, if passed, would tie the hands of a “close ally locked in a necessary battle against savage terrorists.”
But Sanders defended the resolution as a “modest” and “simple request for information” in a floor speech ahead of the vote. Sanders is an independent but caucuses with the Democrats.
The White House shares in Sanders’s frustrations. President Joe Biden has denounced what he describes as “indiscriminate bombing” as Israel seeks to root out Hamas forces, who often hide in civilian population centers.
But the administration cautioned that it was not the “right time” for the resolution as Israel signals it will soon shift to a “less intensive” phase of fighting.
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The vote follows the 100-day anniversary of the Oct. 7 invasion, in which 1,200 people were killed by Hamas terrorists. More than 100 civilians are still held captive.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and a bipartisan group of senators will mark the 100-day anniversary on Wednesday by hosting hostage families at the Capitol.