Who voted to sell more weapons linked to war crimes?

After the collapse of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) presented Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRD) to block $8.8 billion in new U.S. offensive weapons to Israel. 

Independent investigations have found that U.S. weapons have been used in several unlawful attacks that have killed Palestinian civilians. The JRD is the only formal mechanism available to Congress to prevent an arms sale already approved by the administration.

“There is a name and a term for forcibly expelling people from where they live. It is called ethnic cleansing. It is illegal. It is a war crime,” Sanders said on the Senate floor. “The United States must not continue to be complicit in the destruction of the Palestinian people in Gaza.”

The Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023 when, Israel says, Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took some 250 people into captivity in Gaza. Since then, Israel has killed more than 50,600 Palestinians in Gaza, most of them women and children.

In late January of this year, the two sides reached a ceasefire agreement. Then, on March 18, Israel launched surprise airstrikes on Gaza, breaking the ceasefire with Hamas.

April 3 – After filing Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) to block the sale of more than 35,000 massive 2,000-pound bombs. and other munitions to Netanyahu, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) brought the JRDs up for a vote by the full Senate.

A failed resolution

Credible reports from human rights organizations and the United Nations show that Israeli forces have engaged in a pattern of unlawful attacks in Gaza. Still, the resolutions failed. Fifteen senators, all Democrats, voted 'Yes' to block the weapons sale including Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota.

Her office told BLCK Press:

Senator Smith voted in favor of Senator Sanders’ resolutions. She is deeply concerned about the collapse of the ceasefire, which is further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, endangering the remaining hostages, and undermining prospects for a permanent ceasefire and long-term resolution to the conflict.

Smith is not running for reelection in 2026.

Not one Republican supported the JRDs, nor did Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Although the senator's office did not respond to multiple requests to explain Klobuchar's No-vote, it is consistent with her longstanding support for Netanyahu’s government.

Klobuchar is running for reelection in 2026.

She receives significant financial support from The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobbying group that advocates its policies to the U.S. legislative and executive branches. According to Open Secrets, she has received more than $760,000 in contributions from pro-Israel lobbying groups.

Other notable Democrats who also voted against the resolution – and are also up for reelection next year – include:

• Sen. Cory Booker (NJ) - received $894,000 from AIPAC

• Sen. Jack Reed (RI) - received $403,000 from AIPAC

• Sen. Mark Warner (VA) - received $390,000 from AIPAC

• Sen. John Hickenlooper (CO) - received $272,000 from AIPAC

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) voted 'Present' which is a refusal to take sides. Baldwin is next up for reelection in 2030. She has received more than $468,000 from pro-Israel lobbying groups.

“We, as Americans, are deeply complicit in what is happening in Gaza. This is not an earthquake in Myanmar. It’s not something that we had nothing to do with. We are deeply complicit in all of this death and suffering,” said Sanders.

You can see how every senator voted on the JRDs by clicking here.

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Learn more abour JRDs

Want to learn more about the Joint Resolutions of Disapproval? Here's an easy to understand explainer by The Friends Committee on National Legislation, a national, nonpartisan organization that lobbies Congress and the administration to advance peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.