Austin News

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Democrats today blocked two efforts by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) aimed at supporting Israel and countering Hamas while safeguarding U.S. Armed Forces stationed off the coast of Gaza.

Senator Cruz initially requested the Senate to pass the Israel Security Assistance Support Act, which had already been approved by the House of Representatives, to send it to President Biden. The bill mandates that President Biden deliver congressionally-appropriated weapons to Israel as it combats Hamas.

Subsequently, Senator Cruz called for a vote on a resolution to terminate the Biden administration’s deployment of U.S. military personnel operating a pier on the coast of the Gaza Strip. As this was a War Powers Resolution, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer could not block it. All but one Democrat voted in favor of maintaining the Biden administration’s policy.

Commenting on these legislative actions, Senator Cruz stated, “Senate Democrats just showed they are wholly supportive of the Biden administration’s pro-Hamas, anti-Israel agenda. From the very first days of the administration, Biden has poured hundreds of millions of dollars of aid into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, despite knowing and confirming that the aid would go to Hamas. Since the opening minutes of October 7, he has pressured and undermined Israel and tried to force our Israeli allies into a ceasefire that leaves Hamas intact. The Gaza Pier exemplifies this backward upside-down policy, endangering American and Israeli troops in order to deliver aid that is hijacked by Hamas. Senate Democrats just showed they completely agree with and support that appalling policy.”