The State Department has informed Congress of its plans to proceed with over $8 billion in arms sales to Israel, creating a rift among lawmakers just days after President Trump’s meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision comes despite an ongoing informal review process in Congress, raising alarms about bypassing traditional oversight.
On February 8, 2025, the Pentagon announced major sales including 3,000 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles valued at $660 million and bombs and guidance kits worth $6.75 billion. The package, first revealed by the Biden administration earlier in January, was sent to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for review—a process expected to allow lawmakers to raise concerns and seek clarity.
Support from Republican leaders and one Democratic senator seemed to assure smooth sailing for the arms deal. However, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, signaled his discontent by using the review period to demand more information. His efforts to engage with the administration yielded little communication, leading him to publicly criticize what he termed a disregard for congressional prerogatives.
Despite the backlash, the arms sales have been deemed lawful, and Congress faces a challenging barrier to impede the transaction, needing a two-thirds majority in both chambers to block the deal. While reaffirming his support for Israel's military needs, Meeks emphasized that his backing is not unconditional and called attention to the important role Congress plays in such significant measures.
Edward Wong, who covers global affairs and U.S. foreign policy, notes that these developments could redefine the mechanisms of congressional oversight regarding arms sales amid international relations. The decision represents a pivotal moment not only in U.S.-Israel relations but also in the ongoing debate over the legislative branch's influence in foreign military transactions.
