WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Rick Scott joined Senator Tom Cotton to introduce their Israel Security Assistance Support Act, legislation that would force the Biden administration to send critical weapons to Israel. The bill comes after President Biden announced that his administration would withhold certain weapons from Israel if it conducted a full-scale ground invasion of Rafah in Gaza where Hamas, which is still holding American hostages, is hiding.

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) are co-sponsors of the legislation. Congressman Ken Calvert (California-41) introduced companion legislation in the House.

Senator Rick Scott said, “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 said, “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 said, “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 Israel Security Assistance Support Act would:

• Force the Biden administration to complete the delivery of weapons to Israel.
• Cancel the salaries of any Biden administration official at the Department of Defense or Department of State who take any action to withhold the delivery of weapons to Israel.

Bill text may be found HERE.

###