Donald Trump’s Administration Bypasses Congress, Sends $4billion US Arms Aid To Israel
In early February, the State Department bypassed the congressional informal review process to announce that it was sending $8billion in arms to Israel — originally approved by the previous Biden administration.
For the second time in a month, the Donald Trump’s administration has bypassed congressional approval to send arms to Israel.
This time, Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked “emergency authorities” to bypass Congress and send $4billion in weapons to Israel.
In early February, the State Department bypassed the congressional informal review process to announce that it was sending $8billion in arms to Israel — originally approved by the previous Biden administration.
According to New York Times, while Rubio did not explain why he was invoking emergency authority, he stated that the Trump administration would “continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s longstanding commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats.”
Trump is no stranger to bypassing Congress.
During his first term, the administration invoked an emergency declaration to bypass Congress and send arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The development comes as Hamas continues to hold dozens of Israeli hostages abducted in October 2023, when about 1,200 Israelis were killed in a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel.
Since then, the Israeli military has attacked Gaza, killing nearly 50,000 Palestinians, according to estimates from Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Most of the casualties on both sides have been civilians.
State Department officials informed the two congressional committees responsible for reviewing foreign weapons sales—the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee—about the emergency declaration on Friday.
Several munitions packages bound for Israel were undergoing congressional review.
At least one congressional official privately expressed alarm over the administration’s decision to bypass the process.
While reviews are ongoing, one major arms deal worth about $2 billion had not yet been sent to Congress for review, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of weapons deals.
Israel has been using 2,000-pound bombs in Gaza, a densely populated strip of land home to 2 million people. U.S. military officers have said these bombs are unsuitable for urban combat.
The Pentagon announced details of the latest arms sale to Israel on Friday.
The package includes various types of bombs, including more than 35,000 2,000-pound bombs.
On Sunday, Israel controversially announced that it was halting all goods and humanitarian aid into Gaza, a move seen as a pressure tactic to force Hamas to accept a temporary ceasefire extension. Most of the aid comes from international groups and foreign governments.
Some legal experts argue that Israel’s blockade violates international law. While Hamas has insisted on a permanent truce, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu has rejected the demand. He stated that the proposal for a ceasefire extension had been suggested by Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East.
Beyond the $2 billion in bombs, additional military equipment being sent to Israel under the emergency authorization includes bulldozers, more bombs, and GPS-guidance kits to convert unguided “dumb” bombs into precision munitions.
The House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee had been conducting an informal review of the equipment package.
During this process, lawmakers and aides can ask the State Department questions before approving arms sales.
Typically, the informal review process for Israel-bound arms takes no more than 20 days. Reports indicate that the Biden administration, under Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, first informed the committees about this package in early January.
Three of the four top Republican and Democratic officials on the committees approved the deal during the standard 20-day review period.
However, Democratic Representative Gregory W. Meeks of New York requested additional time for review.
Days after Trump met with Netanyahu at the White House, the administration bypassed full congressional approval.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, with diplomatic efforts failing to secure a lasting peace.
