Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) was among the few Democratic critics who emerged on Thursday in opposition to President Joe Biden’s threat to withhold military aid to Israel.
Tester, up for reelection this November in a battleground Senate race that could determine control of the chamber, distanced himself from Biden’s attempt to dissuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from launching a new military offensive in Gaza amid concerns of civilian casualties.
Biden’s warning that he would hold back a shipment of 2,000-pound bombs comes just weeks after he signed into law a bill passed by Congress with new military assistance for Israel, which Tester voted for.
“He should give it to them,” Tester told the Washington Examiner. “Congress passed the bill. Congressional intent was to give it to them. He should continue to put pressure on [Netanyahu] to better target what he’s doing, but he should give it to them.”
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), once a darling among progressives who has since soured among the party’s base over his staunch Israel support, also disapproved of Biden’s threats.
“I don’t support it,” he told the Washington Examiner. “No conditions. That’s what I’ve been saying from the beginning.”
Fetterman added that he was not “in a position to undermine the president,” as Republicans search for ways to pressure Biden to drop his influence campaign over the U.S. ally.
In contrast to Tester and Fetterman, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) indicated that she backed Biden’s controversial move, despite also facing a tough reelection.
“I believe that our aid must be used in line with our values,” she told the Washington Examiner.
The Biden administration is also reportedly considering allowing a narrow subset of Palestinian refugees to come to the United States, such as those with family connections in America who already have legal status. The possibility has drawn backlash from mostly GOP senators but also some vulnerable Democrats seeking to put space between themselves and Biden’s policies in an election year.
That included Tester, who told the Washington Examiner it “makes more sense to resettle them in countries around the region because it’s just better that way.”
Baldwin told the Washington Examiner she had limited knowledge about the administration’s plans but suggested she would “fully approve” welcoming Palestinian children to the U.S. who are seeking medical help.
Her response appeared to be a step backward from a prior statement to Politico, in which the Wisconsin Democrat said: “The U.S. has a proud tradition of sheltering innocent civilians fleeing war and persecution while also ensuring Americans’ safety.”
Baldwin’s position was panned by Republicans, including her GOP opponent, Eric Hovde.
Hovde called Baldwin’s position “unbelievable” and suggested that any refugees brought to America could become U.S. citizens and pave the way for radicalized family members to follow.
“Now you want to jeopardize our national security and put that financial burden on the people of Wisconsin, to bring people that are totally radicalized, that hate America and want to see the destruction of America, into our own state is inconceivable,” he said a video statement.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Senate Republicans’ campaign arm also dinged Baldwin and accused her of being “afraid” to offend pro-Palestinian liberals.
“At a time when pro-Hamas Palestinians are chanting ‘Death to America,’ Tammy Baldwin thinks it’s a good idea to bring them to Wisconsin,” National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Tate Mitchell said. “Baldwin is so afraid of offending the anti-Israel, anti-American, radical fringes of her party that she is willing to put our country’s security at risk.”