WASHINGTON, D.C. (WCAX) – Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders spearheaded an unprecedented vote on the Senate floor.
This vote was the latest move by Sanders to reassess the Foreign Assistance Act which includes funding to Ukraine, the US southern border, and Israel.
Sanders has criticized sending funding to the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying U.S. funding has helped create a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Yesterday, Sanders cited up what he calls an ‘overlooked tool’ that would require the State Department to provide a human rights report on any country receiving U.S. aid. His resolution would require a report on any such violations carried out by Netanyahu’s government.
“It focuses on the denial of the right to life caused by indiscriminate or disproportionate military operations, as well as by restrictions on humanitarian access. It also asks for information on steps the U.S. has taken to limit civilian risk in this war, a certification that the Leahy Laws are being fully applied, and a summary of the arms and munitions provided to Israel since October 7th,” said Sanders.
This act prohibits any government assistance to a country that has shown a pattern of human rights violations. However, Sanders said that this report wouldn’t change aid to Israel – just request information on how that aid is being used.
