Schatz Statement On S.Res.504

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on today’s vote relative to a resolution under Section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, which would require the State Department to provide a report of potential human rights violations and use of U.S. military weapons in Gaza. Due to an unavoidable absence today, Schatz was unable to vote relative to the motions to move forward with S.Res.504 and the legislative vehicle for the continuing resolution – both of which he would have voted to support.

“I believe this resolution is a blunt instrument for a very complex debate about the war in Gaza. But it is so far the only available avenue to register our concerns with both the Israeli government’s conduct of the war – which has resulted in over 24,000 civilian casualties – and the undermining of congressional oversight around arms transfers. For that reason, I would have voted in favor of discharging it from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for debate on the floor.

“This war has now been raging for over 100 days since Hamas brutally attacked Israel and kidnapped scores of hostages, over 100 of whom are still being held captive. I continue to hope for the safe return of all hostages and an urgent end to civilian deaths. In the meantime, here in Congress, I hope we can move forward with a supplemental package that includes aid for the defense of Israel and humanitarian relief for Palestinians, as well as critical assistance for our allies in Ukraine and Taiwan.”

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