A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to Israel of certain defense articles and services.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
- Committees
- Foreign Relations Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 20, 2025
Bottom line
This joint resolution aims to block a specific foreign military sale of precision-guided munitions and bomb bodies from the United States to Israel.
What it actually does
This joint resolution seeks to prohibit a specific foreign military sale of defense articles and services to Israel, as detailed in Transmittal No. 24-13. It explicitly lists various types of bombs, guidance kits, and fuzes, along with associated support equipment, that would be blocked if enacted. The resolution leverages congressional authority under the Arms Export Control Act to disapprove the proposed sale.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that blocking this sale is necessary to ensure U.S. arms are not used in ways that violate international humanitarian law or contribute to civilian harm, particularly given ongoing conflicts. They contend that congressional oversight of arms sales is a critical check on executive power and that this specific sale raises significant human rights concerns.
Opponents contend
Opponents argue that blocking this sale would undermine Israel's security, especially in the context of regional threats, and signal a weakening of U.S. commitment to a key ally. They assert that Israel has a right to self-defense and that the U.S. should not interfere with its ability to acquire necessary defense articles.
The bill text is extremely short and straightforward, allowing for immediate comprehension of its purpose.
Section 1, paragraphs (1) and (2)
Prohibition of Specific Foreign Military Sale to Israel
This provision explicitly prohibits the proposed foreign military sale to Israel, identified as Transmittal No. 24-13. It details the specific defense articles and services covered by the prohibition, including thousands of GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs, MK 82 General Purpose bomb bodies, various Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Guidance Kits for different bomb bodies, and fuzes, along with associated support equipment.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this prohibition is a necessary step to ensure U.S. arms are not implicated in actions that may violate human rights or international law, and to exert pressure for a change in military conduct.
Critics contend
Opponents contend that blocking this sale would weaken Israel's defensive capabilities, particularly against threats from hostile actors, and could be perceived as abandoning a key strategic ally.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the U.S. commitment to a strategic ally's security needs against concerns regarding the use of U.S.-supplied weaponry and adherence to human rights principles in conflict zones.
The reference to 'Transmittal No. 24-13, submitted to Congress pursuant to section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(b)(1)), and published in the Congressional Record on February 10, 2025.'
Section 1, paragraph (1)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice for resolutions of disapproval, which refer to the specific executive branch notification they are challenging. It is not evasive but requires external research for full context.
Case for: Supporters of the resolution argue that the reference is sufficient to identify the sale, and the resolution's purpose is simply to disapprove it, not to re-litigate the executive branch's justification within the resolution itself.
Case against: Critics might argue that without the full transmittal details readily available within the legislative package, it's harder for the public and some members of Congress to fully grasp the implications of blocking the specific sale.
Estimated impact: The impact is the prevention of a significant arms transfer, the value of which would be detailed in the referenced transmittal.