Boise City Wire

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) led 45 Senate Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the Biden-Harris Administration, protesting its partial arms embargo against Israel. The senators urged the White House to cease accommodating Iran, stop jeopardizing the lives of American servicemembers, and deliver necessary weapons systems to Israel.

Co-leading the letter were Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

Additional signatories included Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), 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.). Roger Marshall(R-Kan.). Jerry Moran(R-Kan.). Markwayne Mullin(R-Okla.). Lisa Murkowski(R-Ala.). Pete Ricketts(R-Neb.). Mitt Romney(R-Utah). Mike Rounds(R-S.D.). Eric Schmitt(R-Mo.). Rick Scott(R-Fla.). Dan Sullivan(R-Ala.). John Thune(R-S.D.). Thom Tillis(N.C). Tommy Tuberville(Ala). J.D. Vance(Ohio). Todd Young(Ind).

“When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation. You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons, ammunition, and equipment to Israel. These include 120 mm tank ammunition, 120 mm mortar ammunition, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles F-15s F-35 engines joint direct attack munition kits,” wrote the senators.

A copy of the letter is available below:

Dear President Biden:

This weekend Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel murdering 12 children and injuring dozens in the single deadliest attack on that part of the country since October 7. The ultimate responsibility for this attack rests with Hezbollah and the ayatollahs in Iran. However while Tehran financed the attack and Hezbollah conducted it your fear of escalation has left Israel exposed and our enemies emboldened.

We write once again to protest your administration’s partial arms embargo against Israel. The actions of the Biden-Harris administration run counter to our long history of robust military cooperation with Israel and cast doubt upon the reliability of the United States as a long-term security partner. Your actions also violate the will of Congress as expressed in recent supplemental funding for emergency military support to Israel.

When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June your administration adamantly denied accusation ignoring Congressional inquiries including a May 6th letter from Senator Marshall a May 6th letter from Senator Ernst a May 14th letter from Senator Risch and June 20th letter from Senator Cotton all while deliberately delaying delivery of weapons ammunition equipment to Israel these include:

120 mm tank ammunition

120 mm mortar ammunition

light tactical vehicles

air-to-air missiles

F-15s

F-35 engines

joint direct attack munition kits

2-pound bombs rifles guided missile systems

While your administration delays Hamas continues war against Israel Houthis continue attacks Red Sea Hezbollah continues onslaught northern Israel stalling tactics endangering greatest ally Middle East jeopardizing lives American servicemembers stationed region urge use every available emergency authority expedite physical delivery all weapons ammunition approved by Congress

Your administration must stop accommodating Iran terrorist allies now

###