Risch Joins Graham, Colleagues in Introducing Resolution Condemning Any Action by Biden Admin to Withhold Weapons for Israel

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, yesterday joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and John Thune (R-S.D.) in introducing a Senate resolution that condemns any action by the Biden Administration to withhold or restrict weapons for Israel. The senators held a press conference earlier today on the resolution.

The resolution is cosponsored by a total of 48 Republican senators.

"President Biden's clear threat to Israel, made on network television, made it obvious that he and his administration are more concerned with pacifying anti-Israel, and often anti-Semitic, sentiment among potential voters than with supporting our close partner during a critical time of need," said Risch. "President Biden has given Hamas the greatest victory it could hope for; he has driven a wedge between the United States and Israel, and American allies and partners are watching our government's behavior closely."

"If President Biden continues with his decision to withhold or restrict ammunition and weapons to Israel, he and his administration will have destroyed the last, best chance to build on the Abraham Accords and bring peace to the Middle East for generations. Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran are dedicated to wiping the Jewish people and the State of Israel off the face of the Earth. What is the proper response for Israel, as they defend themselves from these lethal threats? They have to fight, and fight hard. The United States must never turn its back on Israel. I urge President Biden to change course immediately. The last thing we want to do is to reward terrorists - who violate international norms by weaponizing hospitals, mosques and schools - by blaming the victim of the terrorist attack, not the terrorists. If this policy holds, terrorists will get the message loud and clear that if they exploit civilians in this manner, terrorists will get a pass and their victims will be punished," said Graham.

The resolution:

• Condemns any decision by the Biden Administration to halt the shipment of U.S.-made ammunition and weapons to the State of Israel.
• Demands the Biden Administration continue to fulfill the military aid requests from the State of Israel in order to provide the weapons needed to defeat Hamas and defend against attacks from the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies.
• Reaffirms the importance of the long history of the United States providing military aid to the State of Israel and willingness to expedite delivery of such aid in times of crisis.
• Upholds the commitment of the United States to the State of Israel's security and long-term prosperity.

The resolution is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Bill Cassidy (La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John Kennedy (R-La.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.).

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

To watch the full press conference, click here.

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