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.

International 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

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.

Who this appears to help vs burden50% / 50%
Targeted stakeholdersTargeted stakeholders
Likely helped
  • Targeted stakeholdersPrevents a large transfer of U.S.-origin heavy munitions that could be used in populated areas.
  • Targeted stakeholdersAsserts congressional oversight over major foreign military sales under the Arms Export Control Act.
  • Targeted stakeholdersSignals U.S. concern about human rights and the risks of civilian harm from specific munitions transfers.
Likely burdened
  • Targeted stakeholdersCould strain U.S.-Israel defense relations and military interoperability expectations.
  • Targeted stakeholdersMay reduce Israel’s immediate supply of large aerial munitions and operational flexibility.
  • Targeted stakeholdersLikely 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.

SENATE · Apr 15, 2026

Motion to Discharge Rejected (36-63)

36 yes · 63 no

On the Motion to Discharge S.J.Res. 138

Yes 36% No 64%
Showing a quick cross-section of legislators, with followed members first when available.
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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