On February 8, 2025, the State Department formally notified Congress of its decision to proceed with over $8 billion in arms sales to Israel, a move that has raised eyebrows among lawmakers. This decision came just two days after President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he discussed ambitious plans for the Gaza Strip, referencing the potential transformation of the area into a "Riviera of the Middle East."
The pentagon details included the sale of 3,000 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles at $660 million and $6.75 billion in bombs and guidance systems. Notably, artillery shells were sold through a direct commercial sale, avoiding the need for additional announcements. This hastened move follows an arms sales announcement made by President Biden prior to his term’s end, which had been submitted for informal review among committees in Congress.
Despite initial endorsements from Republican committee leaders, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, the senior Democratic member, chose to utilize the review period to seek further clarity on the sales. After more than 20 days of informal review—a standard timeframe for congressional consideration—the State Department opted to proceed without addressing Meeks' inquiries, sparking significant criticism regarding the administration's circumvention of legislative oversight.
Mr. Meeks expressed his disappointment, labeling the situation as a deterioration of established congressional practices and voicing concerns over the lack of comprehensive answers to his questions. While he reaffirmed his support for Israel’s military necessities, he illuminated the need for accountability and communication, raising alarms over perceived disregard for congressional authority by the Trump administration.
The controversy over the arms sales highlights ongoing tensions between the executive branch and Congress regarding U.S. foreign policy and military support to allies. Given the circumstances, the sales are expected to unfold without hindrance, as congressional maneuvers to halt them would require an unlikely two-thirds majority vote. Edward Wong, a seasoned reporter on global relations, will continue to follow these developments closely.
