
File photo: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), speaks at a news conference on restricting arms sales to Israel at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC. AFP
The long-shot initiative was led by Senator Bernie Sanders, who caucuses with Joe Biden's Democratic Party and has been a vocal opponent of Israel's war in Gaza.
Accusing the United States of "complicity" in human rights "atrocities," Sanders said that nonstop aid for Israel would undermine US credibility on other geopolitical issues.
"Nobody is going to take anything you say with a grain of seriousness," said the 83-year-old, who recently won re-election to another six-year term.
"They will say to you, 'You're concerned about China, you're concerned about Russia, you're concerned about Iran. Well, why are you funding the starvation of children in Gaza right now?'"
Sanders introduced what is called Joint Resolutions of Disapproval, seeking to block the Biden administration's recent sale of $20 billion in US weapons to Israel.
Moves to advance three resolutions all failed, garnering only around 20 votes out of the chamber's 100 members, with most Democrats joining all Republicans against the measures.
The Biden administration has steadfastly backed Israel while counselling restraint for more than a year.
US officials had recently warned Israel its military aid could be at risk if the humanitarian situation did not improve in Gaza but ultimately declined to withhold any assistance.
Israel has killed at least 43,985 Palestinians in Gaza since the war started on October 7 2023.
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