16 Democrats vote with Republicans to restrict Biden’s ability to withhold aid to Israel

16 Democrats voted with Republicans in the House of Representatives on Thursday to restrict President Joe Biden’s ability to withhold aid to Israel.

The legislation, which is unlikely to pass in the Senate, says that “no federal funds may be used to withhold, halt, reverse, or cancel the delivery of defense articles or defense services to Israel.” It would also require that some money meant for the office of the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense “may not be spent until each office certifies to Congress that any withheld defense articles or services are delivered to Israel.”

The legislation came after Mr Biden said that the US would not ship weapons to Israel if its military attacked Rafah as part of its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Mr Biden also confirmed that the administration paused a shipment of 1,800 bombs weighing around 2,000lbs (907kg) and 1,700 bombs weighing 500lbs (227kg) bound for Israel. At the same time, the Biden administration said earlier this week that it would send $1bn in other weapons and munitions to the country.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the measure was meant to show support for Israel amid Mr Biden’s criticism of the Israeli government’s military strategy and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s calls for new elections in Israel. The president would likely veto this legislation if it reached his desk.

“We want the President to hear this loud and clear,” he said earlier in the day on the steps of the Capitol. “He said just not long ago that we have to have ironclad support for Israel. Well, that's what he previously proclaimed, but his actions are doing exactly the opposite. This is a catastrophic decision with global implications. It is obviously being done as a