{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/tuberville-holds-state-department-accountable-for-withholding-critical-weapons-to-israel/", "Tuberville Holds State Department Accountable for Withholding Critical Weapons to Israel", "2024-08-16", "2024", "2024-08", "Republican", "Senate", "AL", "Tommy Tuberville", "T000278", "www.tuberville.senate.gov", "tuberville", "https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/press-releases/", "scraper", "\u201cWithholding vital weapons and munitions from both the Israeli military and law enforcement is immoral and needlessly weakens one of our strongest allies in a time of critical need.\u201d\n\nWASHINGTON \u2014 Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) sent a letter to the Biden-Harris Department of State demanding answers for why congressionally-approved military equipment and munitions are being withheld from Israeli military and law enforcement. The letter points out that failure to provide equipment as required by statute and legally purchased through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process is not only unlawful but undermines decades of cooperation and U.S. foreign policy interests.\n\nTo ensure accountability, Sen. Tuberville is requesting a written unclassified report from Secretary of State Antony Blinken answering specific questions by August 30, 2024.\n\nRead excerpts below or the full letter here.\n\n\u201cSecretary Blinken:\n\nIt has come to my attention that the Department of State is potentially withholding vital congressionally authorized military equipment and munitions, as well as properly purchased law enforcement weapons from one of our closest allies, Israel. Failure to provide equipment as required by statute and legally purchased through our robust Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process is not only unlawful but undermines decades of cooperation and U.S. foreign policy interests.\n\nSince Israel gained its statehood in 1948, it has been under constant attack from state and non-state actors alike. Last October, the world witnessed the latest and most horrific of these attacks as Hamas crossed into Israel and slaughtered civilians in their homes without provocation. The depravity displayed that day will never be forgotten. Even now, nine months later, hostages taken by Hamas in that attack have not been returned to their families. The situation continues to be dire as Iran and its terrorist proxies continue to plan and execute attacks on Israeli civilians. As Israel defends itself, the United States has pledged unwavering support to its efforts. Hamas must be eliminated, and Iran must be deterred. Withholding vital weapons and munitions from both the Israeli military and law enforcement is immoral and needlessly weakens one of our strongest allies in a time of critical need.\n\nTherefore, I request a written unclassified report, answering at a minimum the following the questions, by August 30, 2024:\n\nSince the beginning of FY24, how much aid, in U.S. dollars, has Israel received from the U.S. Government?\n\nSince the beginning of FY24, what is the dollar amount of completed Foreign Military Sales that have been processed for Israel?\n\nSince the beginning of FY24, how many FMS Letters of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) have been received by the State Department?\n\nSince the beginning of FY24, what is the average processing time to review and facilitate an LOA?\n\nPlease submit a list of all FMS sales currently under consideration by the State Department.\n\nPlease provide the specific status of any pending weapons purchased by Israeli Ministry of National Security.\n\nI appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.\n\nSincerely,\u201d\n\nREAD MORE:\n\nTuberville, Cotton Condemn Biden-Harris Weapons Delay to Israel\n\nTuberville Statement on Confirmed Reports of Biden Administration Delaying Weapon Sales to Israel\n\nTuberville, Colleagues Condemn Biden\u2019s Unprecedented Halt on Ammunition, Weapons to Israel\n\nSenator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans\u2019 Affairs, and HELP Committees.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:41:32Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/tuberville-holds-state-department-accountable-for-withholding-critical-weapons-to-israel/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6820060554891825, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}