Research | The Leader Board | THE NEWSROOM | Republican LeaderSkip to primary navigation Skip to content×Close THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER McCONNELL×Close THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER McCONNELLxxsearchxMENUFacebookTwitterInstagramFacebookTwitterInstagramVisit Senator McConnell's site here THE NEWSROOMRemarks Press Releases The Leader Board Op-Eds Videos SENATE RESOURCESRepublican Senators Committees Congressional Record Congress.gov Senate Floor Webcast ABOUT LEADER McCONNELLxxsearchxMENUHomeTHE NEWSROOMThe Leader Board01.16.24As Iran’s Terror Proxies Attack Israelis And Americans, Senate Democrats Are Focused On Condemning IsraelWhile Hamas Still Holds Hostages, Bernie Sanders And Senate Democrats Focus The Majority Of Their Ire On Israel’s Fight For Self-Defense SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): “This afternoon, the Senate must take it upon ourselves to reject an attempt to degrade our nation’s credibility even further. The resolution brought forward by Senator Sanders is little more than performative left wing politics. It is not, as our colleague would suggest, about authorizing a report on aid to Israel. It is not even about human rights. It is about tying the hands of a close ally locked in a necessary battle against savage terrorists. It is a gift to left wing anti-Israel activists. Mr. President, colleagues who share concern about the plight of innocent people in Gaza should set their attention on the Hamas terrorists who orchestrate their suffering. The terrorists who take hostages, steal humanitarian aid, and use their own citizens as human shields. The terrorists who go to loathsome extremes to imperil innocent human life. America’s ally, Israel, takes extraordinary risks to minimize civilian casualties. Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and Iran’s other proxies across the region go to extraordinary lengths to maximize senseless death. We must not confuse one for the other. The distinction here is clear and bold-faced. Any colleague considering a vote for the Sanders resolution ought to consider what message they’d like to send to America’s allies and partners facing shared threats around the world… and what message they’d like to send to the adversaries who doubt our resolve. Israel deserves America’s firm support as it roots out terrorist killers and restores its security.” (Sen. McConnell, Remarks, 1/16/2024) As America faces a dangerous world of emboldened adversaries, @SenSanders thinks we should turn our back on a close ally. America cannot afford to abandon Israel. pic.twitter.com/eFBf2hIGZZ— Senate Republican Communications Center (@SRCC) January 16, 2024 Responding To Angry Demands From Far-Left Activists, Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders Is Offering A Resolution To Freeze American Aid To Israel“When Hamas unleashed a bloody attack against Israel in October, there was a swift and strong bipartisan clamor of support in Congress for the United States to spare no expense in backing a robust military response by the Jewish state. One hundred days later, that consensus on Capitol Hill shows signs of fraying, as left-wing Democrats alarmed by the rising human toll of the war in Gaza press to limit aid to Israel or impose strict conditions on it.” (“Senate To Vote On Potential Freeze To Israel Aid As Democrats Question Conduct Of War,” The New York Times, 1/16/2024)“It will reach a peak on Tuesday, when the Senate votes on a resolution that would freeze all U.S. security aid to Israel unless the State Department produces a report within 30 days examining whether the country committed human rights violations in its conduct of the war.” (“Senate To Vote On Potential Freeze To Israel Aid As Democrats Question Conduct Of War,” The New York Times, 1/16/2024)“The measure, forced to the floor by Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, has little chance of passing…” (“Senate To Vote On Potential Freeze To Israel Aid As Democrats Question Conduct Of War,” The New York Times, 1/16/2024)SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): “While it is clear that Israel has the absolute right to respond militarily against a brutal terrorist attack, it is also clear that the Netanyahu’s right-wing, extremist government is waging that war, that response in a deeply reckless and immoral way… A just cause for war does not excuse atrocities in the conduct of that war, and that is precisely what we are seeing." (“Sanders Plans To Force Senate Vote In January To Investigate Israel’s Bombing In Gaza,” The Messenger, 12/20/2023)SANDERS: “There is growing concern among the American people and in Congress that what Israel is doing now is not a war against Hamas, but a war against the Palestinian people…” (“Senate To Vote On Potential Freeze To Israel Aid As Democrats Question Conduct Of War,” The New York Times, 1/16/2024)“Other senators backing the resolution have argued that it should not be controversial to seek accountability in a deadly war. ‘It asks important questions about the conduct of the war and the rights of civilians,’ Senator Peter Welch, Democrat of Vermont, said of Mr. Sanders’s resolution in a statement. ‘Congress and the American people deserve answers to these questions.’” (“Senate To Vote On Potential Freeze To Israel Aid As Democrats Question Conduct Of War,” The New York Times, 1/16/2024)“The issue has divided Democratic lawmakers, with some echoing the calls by many nations for a cease-fire while others support continued military action. Some recent polls suggest that the issue divides Democratic voters, as well. Most Republicans, however, have stood staunchly in their support for Israel.” (“Bernie Sanders To Force Vote On Israel’s Human Rights Practices In Gaza,” The Washington Post, 1/16/2024)REMINDER: Sanders Has Also Called For An Outright End To All Aid For Israel“Sanders … has faced criticism from his progressive base for not calling for an immediate cease-fire. But he’s become one of the loudest voices in Congress calling for more scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza, and he supports cutting off billions of dollars in U.S. military aid to the nation.” (“Bernie Sanders To Force Vote On Israel’s Human Rights Practices In Gaza,” The Washington Post, 1/16/2024)“Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called on Congress [two weeks ago] to hold back more than $10 billion in military funding for Israel, warning it would be used to fund the Israeli government’s ‘grossly disproportionate’ and ‘immoral’ war in Gaza.” (The Hill, 1/02/2024)SANDERS PRESS RELEASE: ‘Senator Bernie Sanders Calls For NO MORE U.S. Funding For Netanyahu’s Illegal And Immoral War Against The Palestinian People’ (Sen. Sanders, Press Release, 1/02/2024)SANDERS: “Congress is working to pass a supplemental funding bill that includes $10 billion of unconditional military aid for the right-wing Netanyahu government to continue its brutal war against the Palestinian people. Enough is enough. Congress must reject that funding. The taxpayers of the United States must no longer be complicit in destroying the lives of innocent men, women, and children in Gaza.” (Sen. Sanders, Press Release, 1/02/2024)Even More Senate Democrats Are Singing The Far-Left Protesters’ Tune, Seeking To Condition Aid For Israel Or Slow Arms Transfers‘It Is Only One Of A Raft Of Measures That Progressives In The Senate Have Proposed In Recent Weeks’“[Sanders’ resolution] is only one of a raft of measures that progressives in the Senate have proposed in recent weeks that reflect their uneasiness with Israel’s conduct of the war and raise questions about whether and under what circumstances the United States would send a fresh infusion of funding to back the country.” (“Senate To Vote On Potential Freeze To Israel Aid As Democrats Question Conduct Of War,” The New York Times, 1/16/2024)“The Democratic Party’s left flank has been particularly vocal in urging Biden to take a stronger stance in support of Palestinian human rights.” (“Democrats Say Biden Must Notify Congress About Israel Arms Transfers,” The Washington Post, 1/09/2024)Some Senate Democrats Are Pushing To Condition Aid To Israel“In recent weeks, more than a dozen Senate Democrats, almost all from the party’s left wing, have signed on to various measures to limit or place conditions on security aid to Israel.” (“Senate To Vote On Potential Freeze To Israel Aid As Democrats Question Conduct Of War,” The New York Times, 1/16/2024)“One would require a guarantee by the president that any weapons provided would be used in accordance with U.S. and international law.” (“Senate To Vote On Potential Freeze To Israel Aid As Democrats Question Conduct Of War,” The New York Times, 1/16/2024)SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MA): “When it comes to military aid to Israel, the U.S. cannot write a blank check for a right-wing government that's demonstrated an appalling disregard for Palestinian lives. The U.S. should use all the tools at its disposal to condition aid & move the parties toward a lasting peace.” (Sen. Warren, @SenWarren, Twitter, 1/4/2024)“Progressive senators led by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced an amendment to the Israel-Ukraine-Taiwan supplemental funding bill that imposes these conditions. The proposal requires a report to Congress on each country’s use of U.S.-supplied weapons.” (Punchbowl News AM, 12/08/2023)SEN. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-MD): “I’m calling upon President Biden to require more accountability from the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. He should insist the prime minister produce a verifiable plan to reduce the unacceptable level of civilian casualties and fully cooperate with our efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza. Until then, the United States should not support the current resumption of hostilities.” (Sen. Van Hollen, Op-Ed, “Israel’s War Against Hamas Is Just, But It Must Be Fought Justly,” The Washington Post, 12/06/2023)VAN HOLLEN: “The president has asked Congress for an additional $106 billion for national security, including assistance for Israel, Ukraine and some of our Indo-Pacific allies. As the Senate takes up this request, I’m working with a group of my colleagues on an amendment that would require that the weapons received by any country under this bill are used in accordance with U.S. law, international humanitarian law and the law of armed conflict.” (Sen. Van Hollen, Op-Ed, “Israel’s War Against Hamas Is Just, But It Must Be Fought Justly,” The Washington Post, 12/06/2023)And Some Are Simply Trying To Stall Or Block Arms Transfers To Israel“More than a dozen Senate Democrats said Tuesday that they will seek to block President Biden’s request to skirt congressional oversight of arms transfers to Israel, the latest signal of frustration among members of his own political party who have recoiled at the stunning civilian death toll resulting from Israel’s offensive in Gaza.” (“Democrats Say Biden Must Notify Congress About Israel Arms Transfers,” The Washington Post, 1/09/2024)“Led by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), the push comes as more Democrats, historically stalwart backers of the Jewish state, have urged the president to step up efforts to rein in America’s chief ally in the Middle East.” (“Democrats Say Biden Must Notify Congress About Israel Arms Transfers,” The Washington Post, 1/09/2024)SEN. TIM KAINE (D-VA): “We need a public explanation of the rationale behind this decision—the second such decision this month.” (Sen. Kaine, Press Release, 12/30/2023)“Biden’s request, according to bill text released by the Senate Appropriations Committee, included a provision saying ‘any congressional notification requirement applicable to funds made available … for Israel may be waived if the Secretary of State determines that to do so is in the national security interest of the United States.’” (“Democrats Say Biden Must Notify Congress About Israel Arms Transfers,” The Washington Post, 1/09/2024)“Kaine and his fellow Senate Democrats — Martin Heinrich (N.M.), Chris Van Hollen (Md.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.), Peter Welch (Vt.), Ben Ray Luján (N.M.), Dick Durbin (Ill.), Brian Schatz (Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), Raphael G. Warnock (Ga.), Tom Carper (Del.) and Chris Murphy (Conn.) — said their amendment would strike that provision.” (“Democrats Say Biden Must Notify Congress About Israel Arms Transfers,” The Washington Post, 1/09/2024)‘Progressive And Anti-War Activists Want Senators To See The Van Hollen, Kaine And Sanders Efforts As Linked Rather Than In Competition’“Progressive and anti-war activists want senators to see the Van Hollen, Kaine and Sanders efforts as linked rather than in competition.” (“Congress Is Ready To Turn Up The Heat On Biden Over His Israel Policy,” Huffington Post, 1/11/2024)“And in the House of Representatives, skeptics of Israel’s approach are hoping to secure more calls from Democratic legislators for a cease-fire in Gaza.” (“Congress Is Ready To Turn Up The Heat On Biden Over His Israel Policy,” Huffington Post, 1/11/2024)“’If we could get to 100 people for a cease-fire in the House, that would be a big statement,’ Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said…” (“Congress Is Ready To Turn Up The Heat On Biden Over His Israel Policy,” Huffington Post, 1/11/2024)As Democrats Direct Their Ire Towards Israel, Iran’s Terror Proxies Continue To Attack Americans And Maritime Shipping“Iran's foreign minister confirmed Tuesday that his country's forces had launched ballistic missiles at targets in both Iraq and Syria, as the U.S. and Iraq condemned deadly strikes that hit close to the under-construction U.S. consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil.” (“U.S. Condemns Iran's ‘Reckless Missile Strikes’ Near New American Consulate In Erbil, Northern Iraq,” CBS News, 1/16/2024) “The U.S. operates a consulate in Erbil and some troops are stationed at the city’s Harir Air Base along with allied fighters in Iraq. Washington is not reporting any injuries or damage to infrastructure at any American bases, according to the defense official.” (“Iran Claims Responsibility For Strikes In Iraq,” The Hill, 1/15/2024)“The drones were downed just hours after Iran launched at least 11 missiles targeting what it claimed was an Israeli intelligence headquarters in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region, killing four civilians.” (“U.S. Condemns Iran's ‘Reckless Missile Strikes’ Near New American Consulate In Erbil, Northern Iraq,” CBS News, 1/16/2024) “Since Israel launched its war against Hamas in Gaza in response to the Palestinian group's bloody Oct. 7 terror attack, Iran's proxies across the region have intensified attacks on U.S. and coalition bases in Iraq and Syria, including many around Erbil.” (“U.S. Condemns Iran's ‘Reckless Missile Strikes’ Near New American Consulate In Erbil, Northern Iraq,” CBS News, 1/16/2024) ‘A Team Of Navy Seals That Lost Two Sailors Overboard While Searching A Small Boat Off The Coast Of Somalia Went On To Find Iranian Missile Parts Bound For Tehran-Backed Houthi Rebels In Yemen’“A team of Navy SEALs that lost two sailors overboard while searching a small boat off the coast of Somalia went on to find Iranian missile parts bound for Tehran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, the U.S. military said Tuesday.” (“U.S. Says It Seized Iran Missile Parts Bound For The Houthis After Seals Went Overboard,” NBC News, 1/16/2024)“A massive search-and-rescue operation is ongoing in the Arabian Sea, where the incident occurred Thursday. The SEALs moved to board the vessel, described by officials as a dhow lacking proper identification, amid suspicions that there were arms on board.” (“U.S. Forces Recovered Iranian Warheads In Navy SEAL Mission Gone Awry,” The Washington Post, 1/16/2024)“The seized items included Iranian-made ballistic and cruise missile warheads, propulsion and guidance systems, and air defense components. An ‘initial analysis’ indicates the weapons match those the Houthis have used to target ships on the Red Sea, according to the statement, which accuses Iran and others involved of violating international law and a related U.N. resolution.” (“U.S. Forces Recovered Iranian Warheads In Navy SEAL Mission Gone Awry,” The Washington Post, 1/16/2024)‘Iranian-Backed Houthi Militants In Yemen Have Launched A Fresh Round Of Attacks In Shipping Lanes Critical For Global Trade’“Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have launched a fresh round of attacks in shipping lanes critical for global trade, damaging a U.S.-owned commercial ship on Monday after attempting to hit an American warship the day before.” (“Houthis, Undeterred By Strikes, Target More Ships In Red Sea,” The New York Times, 1/15/2024)“This is the 30th attack on commercial vessels by the Houthi’s since November 19th.” (“US-Owned Ship Struck By Missile Near Yemen, Defense Department Says,” Fox News, 1/15/2024)“The Houthi attacks over the past three months have collapsed the volume of cargo transiting the Suez Canal, as shipping companies have diverted their vessels around the southern coast of Africa. The volume of containers transported through the Red Sea in December measured half of what it was the previous December, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.” (“Houthis, Undeterred By Strikes, Target More Ships In Red Sea,” The New York Times, 1/15/2024)‘US Fighter Aircraft Shot Down A Cruise Missile Fired From A Houthi Militant Area Of Yemen Toward A Navy Destroyer Operating In The Southern Red Sea’“US fighter aircraft shot down a cruise missile fired from a Houthi militant area of Yemen toward a Navy destroyer operating in the southern Red Sea, the US military said, adding there were no injuries or damage reported. The missile was fired Sunday at about 4:45 p.m. local time at the USS Laboon and shot down in the vicinity of the coast, US Central Command said in a social media post Monday.” (“US Downs Cruise Missile Fired From Houthi Area in Yemen,” Bloomberg, 1/15/2024)“U.S. forces are bracing for much larger retaliatory attacks from the Houthis, who began targeting ships after the war in the Gaza Strip began and are preparing escalating responses, senior U.S. military officials said.” (“Houthis, Undeterred By Strikes, Target More Ships In Red Sea,” The New York Times, 1/15/2024)###SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMUNICATIONS CENTERRelated Issues: Senate Democrats, Iraq, Iran, Israel, National SecurityPrintEmailTweetPreviousTHE NEWSROOMSENATE RESOURCESABOUT LEADER McCONNELLFacebookTwitterInstagram
