Senate overwhelmingly rejects Bernie Sanders' bid to block billions in Israeli military aid

A vast majority of senators on Thursday voted to block a pair of Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' bills that would have frozen billions of dollars in military assistance for Israel.

The Senate voted against the pair in a 82-15 vote and an 83-15 split. The other senators who voted with Sanders were all Democrats, and included New Jersey Sen. Andy Kim, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, and Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, among others.

The resolutions intended to block the Trump administration’s planned sale of bombs and other weaponry to Israel that was estimated to be worth $8.8 billion.

The move comes after Sanders introduced similar measures during former President Joe Biden's administration last year, per the National Review. Sanders has long criticized the war in Israel and Israel's alleged lack of humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

“This is barbaric. So let us be clear. The United States must end our complicity in these atrocities," the senator said in a video on Wednesday. "We cannot be part of this any longer. As many of you know, I strongly opposed President Biden’s blank check military aid to Israel and I am equally opposed to what President Trump is doing.”

The move comes after the Trump administration voiced support for Israel in its war with Hamas. Trump has repeatedly threatened Hamas if it does not release its remaining Israeli hostages. The administration has also cracked down on antisemitism on college campuses.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.