On the recordNovember 20, 2024
two basic points: The first one is the same point that has to be made over and over again. What we are doing is in violation of the law. U.S. weapons cannot be provided to countries that violate internationally recognized human rights or block U.S. humanitarian aid. According to all of the international and humanitarian organizations on the ground in Gaza right now, that is exactly what Israel is doing. So a ``no'' vote is to allow us to continue breaking the law. As to the second point, this one deals with JDAMs, which are systems that make bombs more precise. And, on the surface, it sounds like, well, that is a good thing. You would rather use ``smart'' bombs than ``dumb'' bombs, and when you do that, you save civilian lives. The problem is that what Israel has been doing is using JDAMs to target U.N. schools packed with displaced people and to target refugee centers and kill large numbers of innocent people. So a ``smart'' bomb does not save civilian lives when it is directly targeting civilians. I would ask for a ``yes'' vote on this resolution. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does anyone seek time in opposition? The Senator from Maryland.
