Hello, apologies for being absent from these parts. I just returned from a trip out of state to be with my sister who’s dealing with serious health issues and didn’t have the bandwidth to be online. But I’m popping in with an ask (quick phone call and/or personalized email) regarding yesterday’s Senate vote on the two Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block specific arms to Israel (one would have blocked the sale of $675 million in weapons to Israel, such as 1,000-pound bombs and Joint Direct Attack Munition guidance kits used in airstrikes, and the second resolution would have blocked the sale of assault rifles).
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) speaking on the Senate floor
Every single Republican voted against both resolutions. And here are the names of the Democrats who voted to keep arming Israel anyway, blocking at least one of the resolutions:
- Michael Bennett (CO)
- Richard Blumenthal (CT)
- Cory Booker (NJ)
- Maria Cantwell (WA)
- Chris Coons (DE)
- Catherine Cortez Masto (NV)
- John Fetterman (PA)
- Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
- Maggie Hassan (NH)
- John Hicklenlooper (CO)
- Jon Ossoff (GA)
- Alex Padilla (CA)
- Gary Peters (MI)
- Jack Reed (RI)
- Jackie Rosen (NV)
- Adam Schiff (CA)
- Chuck Schumer (NY)
- Mark Warner (VA)
- Ron Wyden (OR)
PLEASE, take a few moments right now on behalf of Palestinians and contact both your senators. If they voted for at least one resolution, THANK them. If they voted against, SHAME them! Those Republicans and Democrats voted against their constituents’ will — the vast majority in this country oppose U.S. complicity in genocide and forced starvation. Those so-called representatives, those soulless ghouls, are now on the record as being pro-genocide, pro-starvation, and anti-democratic, and they deserve universal condemnation. The tiny sliver of good news is that more senators than ever cast votes against the apartheid state of Israel (Senator Patty Murray here in Washington is one of them!) which shows the pressure is slowly working.
Thank you in advance for using your voice for Gaza and our shared humanity. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. Solidarity!
Tracy Abell 
Thanks for sharing, Tracy, and no problem! I’m relieved both my senators voted for the resolution.
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Thank you so much, Mara! And I’m so glad your two senators showed some humanity.
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I’m not sure how much humanity was involved, especially in Alsobrooks case, but it’s something. You’re so right in that we can’t back down from applying pressure.
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Oh and sorry to hear about your sister. I hope she’s ok.
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Shame on Padilla and Schiff and the rest of them!
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Ugh. I noticed that Schiff voted against (not much of a surprise) but didn’t notice Padilla. I’m sorry, Rosaliene. It feels so bad when no one represents your perspectives. My son in CO called me this morning to share his anger and frustration over the 2 Colorado senators voting against. Again, no surprise there, but it’s so telling when politicians in “deep blue” states vote as if they’re in Texas or something. When even Marjorie Taylor Green is calling it genocide (something Bernie Sanders still refuses to do), you know it’s bad. We’ve got to keep applying pressure because they aren’t going to budge unless we make their lives very uncomfortable.
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😦 ❤
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It’s important to remember that wars bring no good to anyone and should not exist anywhere in the world 🌍🕊️. People everywhere deserve peace, safety, and a dignified life, free from violence and destruction.
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I’m in absolute agreement and thank you for reading and commenting!
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