 Defense &
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Defense &
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House GOP lashes out at Biden over pause in Israeli arms shipment |
The top House Republicans with oversight of U.S. foreign and military affairs slammed the Biden administration Wednesday for pausing a shipment to Israel of an estimated 3,000 heavy bombs. |
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) said the administration was weakening Israel's position in the face of threats from Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon. "We are appalled that the administration paused crucial arms shipments to Israel," the Republican House chairs wrote. "The administration must allow these arms shipments to move forward to uphold the United States' commitment to Israel's security and ensure that Israel can defend itself and defeat Hamas." The Biden administration confirmed in recent days that it had paused a shipment of thousands of heavy bombs to Israel. The shipment would have included roughly 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller explained that the administration's actions relate to concern over Israel's military operation against Hamas in the southern Gazan city of Rafah and the worsening humanitarian crisis. "We have paused one shipment of near term assistance and we are reviewing others," Miller said Wednesday. "In the context of the unfolding situation in Rafah, it is a place where we have very serious concerns, and that's why we take the actions we take." Some Democrats have welcomed the pause in holding back U.S. offensive weapons that they are concerned are contributing to a humanitarian crisis and civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip. Roughly 1.4 million civilians are estimated to be sheltering in Rafah after being forced to evacuate other areas in Gaza due to the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The U.S. has voiced concerns over the Israeli military using larger explosives in the dense and urban area. But Republicans and critics of the administration's move to hold arms transfers say it throws into question U.S. solidarity with Israel amid intense negotiations to reach a cease-fire deal that would secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since they were kidnapped in its Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Read the full report at TheHill.com. |
Welcome to The Hill's Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. |
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Move over, Miami Sound Machine — Gloria Estefan is teaming up with a Miami submarine. The “Conga” singer was on-hand as the U.S. Navy announced its latest vessel would be named after the Florida city. "Miami is a shining example of what happens when a city welcomes all who come seeking a better life,” Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said in a Tuesday announcement about the nuclear-powered attack sub, which … |
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| Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said he has concerns about Sharia law being "forced upon the American people" during remarks on the House floor Tuesday. "Well, I’ve got some pretty strong concerns about Sharia law," Roy said while discussing his broader worries about border security and foreign aid. "And whether that’ll be forced upon the American people." In the remarks, Roy referenced a “massive Muslim takeover … |
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The Biden administration recently paused an arms shipment to Israel due to concerns the country could launch a full-scale assault on Rafah, a city in southern Gaza — a move the U.S. has strongly opposed. The shipment would have included roughly 1,800 2,000-pound bombs and 1,700 500-pound bombs, a senior administration official told The Associated Press on Tuesday. More than a million civilians have sheltered in Rafah after … |
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Biden to tighten national security, public safety asylum screenings |
The Biden administration on Thursday will announce new measures to more quickly screen asylum applicants for potential public safety or national security risks. The proposed regulation will essentially move up those screenings to an earlier stage in the asylum process, increasing the chances that … |
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Events in and around the defense world: |
The Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association will hold a virtual discussion on "The Army's current strategies for improving software development and acquisition processes, and the anticipated impact on enhancing operational effectiveness and agility," at 10 a.m.
The Middle East Institute will have an online talk on "The Biden Administration's National Cybersecurity Strategy: Opportunities and Challenges," at 12 p.m.
Government Executive Media Group will host a conversation on "Service Branch Spotlight: Space Force," with Brian Kehl, deputy commanding general-support at the Space Force's Space Operations Command, at 2 p.m.
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News we've flagged from other outlets: |
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) moved to force a vote on ousting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday, a momentous move that is all but certain … Read more |
| The House on Wednesday overwhelmingly voted to protect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from a conservative coup, torpedoing an effort by Rep. Marjorie … Read more |
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