S.J. Res. 138 (119th)Bill Overview

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of certain defense articles and services.

Joint ResolutionInternational Affairs|International Affairs
Cosponsors
Support
Democratic
Introduced
Mar 19, 2026
Discussions
Bill Text
Current stageFloor

Motion to discharge Senate Committee on Foreign Relations rejected by Yea-Nay Vote. 36 - 63. Record Vote Number: 81.

Introduced
Committee
Floor
President
Law
Congressional Activities
01 · The brief
Joint ResolutionWhat this resolution actually does

This resolution is a joint resolution that would formally disapprove a proposed U.S. foreign military sale to Israel. If both chambers of Congress pass it and the President signs it, the notified sale would be prohibited; if the President vetoes it, Congress could attempt to override the veto. It uses the special congressional review process that lets lawmakers vote to reject a notified foreign arms sale within the statutory review period.

Passage rules

As a joint resolution, it must be approved by both the House and Senate and then sent to the President for signature; a presidential veto can be overridden only by two-thirds of both chambers. It operates under the specific review timetable Congress has for notified foreign military sales, so there is a limited window for Congress to act.

This joint resolution would disapprove and prohibit a proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Israel of 12,000 BLU-110A/B general-purpose 1,000-pound bomb bodies and associated U.S. government and contractor engineering, logistics, and technical support.

It is proposed under the Arms Export Control Act, referencing Transmittal No. 26–32 as transmitted to Congress.

The resolution was sponsored by Senator Sanders and referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a motion to discharge the committee was rejected 36–63.

Passage10/100

Narrow but highly divisive foreign-policy action with little built-in compromise; historically low success for similar disapproval measures.

CredibilityAligned

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly drawn substantive policy change that clearly identifies and prohibits a specific proposed foreign military sale and integrates that action with the statutory notification framework. The text is concise and focused but sparse on implementation, enforcement, fiscal impact, edge-case handling, and follow-up accountability.

Contention75/100

Humanitarian risk mitigation versus preserving ally deterrence

02 · What it does

Who stands to gain, and who may push back.

Likely benefits vs burdens50% / 50%
Likely helpedLikely burdened

These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.

Likely helped
  • Potential benefitPrevents a large transfer of U.S.-origin heavy munitions that could be used in populated areas.
  • Potential benefitAsserts congressional oversight over major foreign military sales under the Arms Export Control Act.
  • Potential benefitSignals U.S. concern about human rights and the risks of civilian harm from specific munitions transfers.
Likely burdened
  • Potential burdenCould strain U.S.-Israel defense relations and military interoperability expectations.
  • Potential burdenMay reduce Israel’s immediate supply of large aerial munitions and operational flexibility.
  • Potential burdenLikely reduces expected sales revenue and could affect jobs at suppliers and subcontractors.
03 · Why people split

Why the argument around this bill splits.

Humanitarian risk mitigation versus preserving ally deterrence
Progressive85%

Likely supportive of the resolution to block the sale, citing human rights and civilian-protection concerns.

They will emphasize preventing further civilian casualties and using U.S. leverage to push for restraint and accountability.

Leans supportive
Centrist45%

Mixed view: values Israel's security but worries about civilian harm and congressional accountability.

Likely open to compromise solutions that preserve deterrence while increasing oversight and transparency.

Split reaction
Conservative10%

Likely strongly opposed to the resolution, viewing it as harmful to U.S. national security and Israel's defense.

Will argue this interferes with allied self-defense and weakens deterrence.

Likely resistant
04 · Can it pass?

The path through Congress.

Introduced

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Committee

Reached or meaningfully advanced

Floor

Reached or meaningfully advanced

President

Still ahead

Law

Still ahead

Passage likelihood10/100

Narrow but highly divisive foreign-policy action with little built-in compromise; historically low success for similar disapproval measures.

Scope and complexity
24%
Scopenarrow
24%
Complexitylow
Why this could stall
  • Absent cost estimate or classified national security assessment
  • Unknown executive-branch position and likely veto posture
05 · Recent votes

Recent votes on the bill.

06 · Go deeper

Go deeper than the headline read.

Included on this page

Humanitarian risk mitigation versus preserving ally deterrence

Narrow but highly divisive foreign-policy action with little built-in compromise; historically low success for similar disapproval measures.

Unlocked analysis

Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a narrowly drawn substantive policy change that clearly identifies and prohibits a specific proposed foreign military sale and integrates that action with the stat…

Go beyond the headline summary with full stakeholder mapping, legislative design analysis, passage barriers, and lens-by-lens tradeoff breakdowns.

Perspective breakdownsPassage barriersLegislative design reviewStakeholder impact map
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