Washington, D.C. – The United States-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act of 2018 seeks to ensure Israel’s sovereignty and safety by bolstering its security against growing threats. Primary among these threats is Iran’s presence on Israel’s northern border. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) introduced an amendment to the act which cut all of Israel’s security assistance. This undermines the purpose of the bill, and his amendment was voted down 20-1. Yet Sen. Paul continues to be the only member of Congress withholding support for the U.S.-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act and has kept it from receiving a vote on the Senate floor for over a month now.
Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, issued the following statement in response:
“Sen. Paul’s singular refusal to support Israel by not allowing a vote on this bill is disappointing and detrimental to the state of Israel and to United States foreign policy.
“Israel is one of our greatest allies in the world and a vital beacon of democracy in the Middle East. They are under almost constant threat from surrounding countries, and the assistance provided by the U.S.-Israel Security Assistance Authorization Act is absolutely necessary to best equip Israel’s military to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens and the sovereignty of their state.
“Sen. Paul is singling out Israel by standing in the way of this bill. Targeting Israel in this way emboldens Israel’s enemies — entities like Iran who would love nothing more than to see separation between our nations. In many ways, a strong Israel is also a strong United States. There is nothing to be gained by blocking this bill, but there is much to be lost. Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee urges Sen. Paul to cease being the barrier to a vote on this bill.”