U.S. Senate passes pro-Israel bill, measure also rebukes Trump
The Senate backed the Strengthening America's Security in the Middle East Act by a lopsided 77-23 on Tuesday, hours before Trump was to deliver his annual State of the Union speech discussing his policies for the year. Trump is expected to discuss foreign policy in the address to a joint session of Congress, including declaring the Islamic State militant group all but defeated.
Many members of Congress, including several fellow Republicans, strongly disagree with a plan Trump announced in December to withdraw 2,000 U.S. troops from Syria on the grounds that the militant group no longer posed a threat. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who rarely breaks from Trump, introduced the non-binding amendment passed on Tuesday. It acknowledged progress against Islamic State and al Qaeda in Syria and Afghanistan but warned that "a precipitous withdrawal" could destabilize the region and create a vacuum that could be filled by Iran or Russia.
The amendment called on the Trump administration to certify conditions had been met for the groups' "enduring defeat" before any significant withdrawal from Syria or Afghanistan. The amendment also includes provisions supported by both Republicans and Democrats to impose new sanctions on Syria and guarantee security assistance to Israel and Jordan. Those are seen as efforts to reassure allies worried about shifts in U.S. policy, including Trump's Syria plan.
To become law, however, the bill would need to pass the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, where it is unlikely to move without significant changes because of concerns about the provision addressing the "Boycott, Divest and Sanction" movement targeted at Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. Opponents of that provision argue that Americans' participation in boycotts is protected by the constitutional right to free speech.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)
(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
- READ MORE ON:
- Small business
- Business plan
- Donald Trump
- Donald Duck
- States of India
- Beth Israel
- The Times of Israel
- Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
- Tickets For Troops
- British Army
- United States Senate
- United States Senate chamber
- Term of office
- Afcons Construction Mideast LlC
- Mideast Travel Worldwide
- The New York Times
- Radical Republican
- Republican Party
- Democratic-Republican Party
- Mitch McConnell
ALSO READ
Biden's Israel shift: not enough for Democrats, too much for Republicans
Biden's Israel shift: not enough for Democrats, too much for Republicans
EXPLAINER-Why Republicans impeached Biden's top border official Alejandro Mayorkas
Tribunals formed to adjudicate if sufficient grounds available to declare J-K groups as banned
Court denies bail to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal on health grounds