Record share of Senate Democrats vote to end arms sales to Israel. Who are they?

A record number of Senate Democrats voted in favor of two joint resolutions seeking to ban the sale of U.S. weapons to Israel.

Although the measures failed to pass, the votes revealed a growing willingness among Democrats to challenge longstanding American support for Israel amid the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“The tide is turning,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, who sponsored both bills, said in a statement July 30. “Americans don’t want to spend billions to starve children in Gaza.”

The first resolution — which would ban the sale of 1,000-pound bombs and other munitions — received 27 votes in favor, all from Democrats and independents who caucus with the party. Seventy senators voted against it, including all Republicans and 17 Democrats.

The second resolution — which would prohibit the sale of thousands of assault rifles — received 24 votes in favor and 73 against, with a similar partisan divide.

“In the last 21 months, Israel has not just gone to war against Hamas, it has gone to war against the entire Palestinian population,” Sanders said ahead of the votes. “Our tax dollars and our weapons are actively supporting these atrocities. That cannot be allowed to continue.”

This marked the third time Sanders has forced a vote to block arms shipments to Israel. In November, 18 Democrats voted for a similar resolution, and in April, 15 did the same.

Among the Democrats who voted in favor of the latest resolutions were Sens. Angela Alsobrooks, Tammy Baldwin, Dick Durbin, Mazie Hirono, Jon Ossoff and Peter Welch.

Additionally, over half a dozen senators cast their votes in favor for the first time, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Patty Murray.

“Tonight I voted YES to block the sale of certain weapons to Israel to send a message to Netanyahu’s government,” Murray, who represents Washington state, said in a statement. “This legislative tool is not perfect, but frankly it is time to say ENOUGH to the suffering of innocent young children and families.”

Sen. Raphael Warnock, who voted in favor of one of the two past resolutions, also threw his support behind Sanders’ latest measures.

“Starving children and innocent civilians to death is a moral atrocity that cannot abide the conscience of those who believe in human dignity,” the Georgia senator said in a statement. “(Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s) administration must change course.”

Meanwhile, among the senators who opposed the latest measures were Sens. Michael Bennet, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker and John Fetterman — an outspoken supporter of Israel.

“The suffering in Gaza is crushing and real—we’ve all seen the same images,” Fetterman, who represents Pennsylvania, posted on X on July 29. “Many people blame Israel, but Hamas is responsible for this hell on earth and they could end this today for peace in the region.”

The votes come as growing shares of Democrats have expressed opposition to the Israeli government and its handling of the war in Gaza.

In the latest Gallup survey, only 9% of Democrats held a favorable opinion of Netanyahu, and just 8% said they approved of the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza.

It also comes as numerous aid groups have drawn attention to the dire conditions in Gaza in recent days.

“Food is running out. Those seeking it risk being shot. People are dying trying to feed their families,” Tom Fletcher, the United Nations emergency relief coordinator, said in a July statement.

President Donald Trump also recently acknowledged there is “real starvation” in Gaza and exhorted Israeli officials to allow “every ounce of food” into the territory, echoing calls from other world leaders. Though he later said in a statement, “The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!”

Meanwhile, Netanyahu has denied there is a hunger crisis in Gaza and has blamed Hamas for stealing aid supplies.

This story was originally published July 31, 2025 at 1:44 PM with the headline "Record share of Senate Democrats vote to end arms sales to Israel. Who are they?."