- Targeted stakeholdersPrevents a large transfer of U.S.-origin heavy munitions that could be used in populated areas.
- Targeted stakeholdersAsserts congressional oversight over major foreign military sales under the Arms Export Control Act.
- Targeted stakeholdersSignals U.S. concern about human rights and the risks of civilian harm from specific munitions transfers.
A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.
Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 36 - 63. Record Vote Number: 81.
This joint resolution would disapprove and prohibit a proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of 12,000 BLU-110A/B general-purpose 1,000-pound bomb bodies and associated U.S. government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support.
It is proposed under the Arms Export Control Act, referencing Transmittal No. 26–32 as transmitted to Congress.
The resolution was sponsored by Senator Sanders and referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a motion to discharge the committee was rejected 36–63.
Narrow but highly divisive foreign-policy action with little built-in compromise; historically low success for similar disapproval measures.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly drawn substantive policy change that clearly identifies and prohibits a specific proposed foreign military sale and integrates that action with the statutory notification framework. The text is concise and focused but sparse on implementation, enforcement, fiscal impact, edge-case handling, and follow-up accountability.
Humanitarian risk mitigation versus preserving ally deterrence
Who stands to gain, and who may push back.
- Targeted stakeholdersCould strain U.S.-Israel defense relations and military interoperability expectations.
- Targeted stakeholdersMay reduce Israel’s immediate supply of large aerial munitions and operational flexibility.
- Targeted stakeholdersLikely reduces expected sales revenue and could affect jobs at suppliers and subcontractors.
Why the argument around this bill splits.
Humanitarian risk mitigation versus preserving ally deterrence
Likely supportive of the resolution to block the sale, citing human rights and civilian-protection concerns.
They will emphasize preventing further civilian casualties and using U.S. leverage to push for restraint and accountability.
Mixed view: values Israel's security but worries about civilian harm and congressional accountability.
Likely open to compromise solutions that preserve deterrence while increasing oversight and transparency.
Likely strongly opposed to the resolution, viewing it as harmful to U.S. national security and Israel's defense.
Will argue this interferes with allied self-defense and weakens deterrence.
The path through Congress.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Narrow but highly divisive foreign-policy action with little built-in compromise; historically low success for similar disapproval measures.
- Absent cost estimate or classified national security assessment
- Unknown executive-branch position and likely veto posture
Recent votes on the bill.
Motion to Discharge Rejected (36-63)
On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 138
Go deeper than the headline read.
Humanitarian risk mitigation versus preserving ally deterrence
Narrow but highly divisive foreign-policy action with little built-in compromise; historically low success for similar disapproval measures.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly drawn substantive policy change that clearly identifies and prohibits a specific proposed foreign military sale and integrates that action with the stat…
Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.