The United States Senate decisively voted down two resolutions proposed by Senator Bernie Sanders aimed at halting the transfer of weapons to Israel. The motions sought to block an $8.8 billion arms deal, including bombs and munitions.
Senate Rejects Sanders’ Proposal
However, both resolutions failed by wide margins, with the first being defeated by a vote of 82-15 and the second by 83-15.
The voting outcome highlights the strong bipartisan support for continuing military aid to Israel, even as a small faction of Democrats pushed for restricting arms sales. Compared to a similar vote in November 2024, the number of Democratic senators supporting Sanders’ resolutions dropped from 19 to 15.
Among those who switched their stance were Georgia Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, New Hampshire’s Jeanne Shaheen, and Maine’s Independent Senator Angus King, who caucuses with the Democrats. Their shift signals a possible concern over political repercussions, as some, including Ossoff, are expected to face tough reelection battles in 2026.
Meanwhile, freshman New Jersey Senator Andy Kim, seen as a moderate, was among those who supported the resolutions, despite having recently visited Israel and advocating for hostage releases.
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Debate Over Humanitarian Crisis and Military Support
In advocating for his resolutions, Sanders pointed to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasizing the suffering of civilians, particularly children. He stated that for over a month, no food, water, medicine, or fuel had been allowed into Gaza, worsening the already dire conditions. According to Sanders, these restrictions have led to severe malnutrition and starvation among children.
Israel, on the other hand, has justified the blockade as a necessary measure to exert pressure on Hamas in ongoing hostage negotiations. The restrictions on humanitarian aid have been part of Israel’s strategy since resuming military operations in Gaza in March 2025, following a brief truce.
Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, James Risch of Idaho, strongly opposed Sanders’ resolutions, warning that blocking arms sales would mean abandoning Israel during a critical moment for global security. Many Republican senators echoed his stance, arguing that supporting Israel is essential for U.S. strategic interests in the Middle East.
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Trump Administration’s Approach to Arms Sales
The vote also reflected a shift in U.S. policy since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. Trump has taken a more aggressive stance in supporting Israel, reversing efforts made by his predecessor, Joe Biden, to impose conditions on arms transfers. In February, Trump bypassed the usual congressional review process to authorize billions of dollars in military sales to Israel, ensuring that weapons deliveries continue without delay.
Under U.S. law, Congress can attempt to block major foreign arms sales by passing resolutions of disapproval. However, such efforts have rarely succeeded, as no resolution has ever both passed Congress and survived a presidential veto. Even though Sanders’ resolutions failed, the vote forced a public debate on the issue, reflecting divisions within the Democratic Party regarding support for Israel’s military actions.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has continued to escalate following Hamas’s October 7 attack, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry claims that more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, though these numbers are unverified and do not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Since Israel resumed military operations in March 2025, over 1,000 additional casualties have been reported.
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The truce that had been in place since December 2024 was initially set to transition into a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza by March 2, 2025. However, Israel sought to renegotiate the terms, leading to a breakdown in talks. Hamas has insisted on maintaining the original agreement, resulting in a prolonged stalemate. Meanwhile, large parts of Gaza remain in ruins, with thousands of displaced residents seeking shelter in makeshift camps and destroyed buildings.
The Senate’s rejection of Sanders’ resolutions ensures that U.S. military aid to Israel will continue uninterrupted, reinforcing the long-standing strategic alliance between the two nations.
