Utah Valley Times

U.S. Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) and 47 Senate Republican colleagues, led by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), have sent a letter to President Biden protesting the Administration’s partial arms embargo against Israel. The senators urged the President to cease accommodating Iran, stop jeopardizing American servicemembers' lives, and deliver necessary weapons systems to Israel.

“When Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly raised the weapons hold in June, your administration adamantly denied the accusation,” the senators wrote. “You ignored Congressional inquiries, including a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Marshall, a May 6, 2024, letter from Senator Ernst, a May 14, 2024, letter from Senator Risch and a June 20, 2024, letter from Senator Cotton. All the while, you were deliberately delaying the delivery of weapons.”

The delayed items include various ammunition types, light tactical vehicles, air-to-air missiles, F-15s and F-35 engines among others.

Co-leading the letter were Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch (R-ID), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Ranking Member Marco Rubio (R-FL), Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Tim Scott (R-SC), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS).

Additional signatories included Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer(R-NE) Chuck Grassley(R-IA) Bill Hagerty(R-TN) Josh Hawley(R-MO) John Hoeven(R-ND) Cindy Hyde-Smith(R-MS) Ron Johnson(R-WI) John Kennedy(R-LA) James Lankford(R-OK) Mike Lee(R-UT) Cynthia Lummis(R-WY) Roger Marshall(R-KS) Jerry Moran(R-KS) Markwayne Mullin(R-OK)Lisa Murkowski(R-AK Pete Ricketts(R-NE Mike Rounds,(RS-D Eric Schmitt,(RM-O Rick Scott,(RF-L Dan Sullivan,(RA-K John Thune,(RS-D Thom Tillis,(RN-C Tommy Tuberville,(RA-L J.D Vance(RO-H Todd Young( RI-N)

In their correspondence with President Biden they stated: "This weekend Hezbollah fired Iranian-made missiles into northern Israel murdering twelve children and injuring dozens in what was described as one of deadliest attacks since October seventh." They further expressed concern that Tehran financed this attack while Hezbollah conducted it due largely because fear escalation has left Israel exposed emboldening enemies."

Senators highlighted ongoing conflict Hamas continues wage war against Houthis continue attack Red Sea Hezbollah persists its assault Northern regions urging swift action ensure immediate supply military aid essential safeguard interests Middle East prevent loss American lives stationed there.