U.S. Politics
Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell voted against the motion. Immediately after the vote, he filed a motion to reconsider for the fourth time.
The president would be required to fill the position, which is has been vacant since the start of the Trump administration, within 90 days.
Croatia canceled a $500 million sale of a dozen F-16 fighter planes due to the United States denying an Israeli request to execute the deal.
The final tally was 53-43. At least four Democrats voted for cloture: Arizona’s Krysten Sinema, Alabama’s Doug Jones, West Virginia’s Joe Manchin and New Jersey’s Robert Menendez.
If enacted, the legislation would impose fresh sanctions on Syria, and boost security cooperation with Israel and Jordan amid the announced gradual withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria.
James Mattis, U.S. Secretary of Defense at the time, rejected a request from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to soften U.S. conditions, including returning the planes to their initial state prior to Israeli upgrades.
“The federal government should not use taxpayer dollars to subsidize one of the most infamous hate groups in the United States,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.). “That’s why I’m demanding your department immediately cease all contracts with the Nation of Islam and prohibit it from receiving any contracts in the future.”
Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) each tweeted opposition to a vote advancing the legislation, citing the government shutdown.
The primary country objecting to it is Iran, and not Arab nations.
“Upon taking office and being a member of Congress, I anticipate being an outspoken proponent of positive relations between the U.S. and Israel.”
While she has consistently criticized Wall Street and held on to standard left-wing positions, her record on Israel has been, at best, mixed.
Jair Bolsonaro wrote on Twitter, “There is no reason to criticize dialogue, especially when the criticism comes from those who did nothing, only destroyed and stole from the country.”
