Duval Times

Senators Rick Scott and Tom Cotton have introduced the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, a bill aimed at compelling the Biden administration to supply critical weapons to Israel. This legislative action follows President Biden's declaration that his administration would withhold certain arms from Israel if it were to carry out a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza, where Hamas, currently holding American hostages, is believed to be hiding.

The legislation has received backing from Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina). In the House, Congressman Ken Calvert of California has introduced companion legislation.

Senator Rick Scott commented on the matter: “Biden’s actions have made clear that he is now part of the extreme pro-Hamas wing of the Democrat Party. He doesn’t care about Israel and his support isn’t ‘ironclad’ by any means. Everyone knows that Biden is controlled by anti-Israel radicals and we can’t take the risk of more political games when our ally, Israel, is fighting for its life. Congress must step in to stop Biden from undermining America's national security once again. Our bill will hold Biden accountable and expedite weapons to Israel to make sure it receives the support needed and expected from the United States TODAY.”

Senator Tom Cotton added: “President Biden’s decision to impose a de facto arms embargo on Israel is a betrayal of one of our most important allies as it fights an existential war for survival. This bill will reverse Joe Biden’s arms embargo and withhold the salaries of officials who implement it.”

Congressman Ken Calvert also expressed his views: “President Biden’s decision to withhold a portion of the Israel security aid just passed by an overwhelming and bipartisan majority of Congress projects the very weakness that has become a trademark of his presidency. If President Biden will not release these weapons, Congress must act to enforce the United States’ support for Israel in its efforts to eliminate Hamas. I thank Senator Cotton for his steadfast support for Israel and introduction of the Israel Security Assistance Support Act in the Senate.”

The proposed legislation would mandate the Biden administration to complete the delivery of weapons to Israel and cancel the salaries of any Department of Defense or Department of State official who withholds weapon deliveries to Israel.