- The anti-Israel protesters called on Congress to scrap “Biden's deadly $106 billion Senate deal” – the huge relief package in the works
- “Stop funding violence against our communities,” read a giant sign held by protesters in the Capitol Rotunda
Protesters stormed the US Capitol on Tuesday and called for a ceasefire in Gaza, while Capitol police arrested over 60 people.
Anti-Israel demonstrators scattered children's shoes on the floor of the Capitol's iconic rotunda to protest the rising death toll in Gaza as the terrorist organization Hamas continues its bloody war with Israel.
They called on Congress to abandon “Biden's deadly $106 billion Senate deal” – the huge relief package in the works in the upper house – and called for an immediate ceasefire.
“Stop funding violence against our communities,” read a giant sign held by protesters in the Capitol Rotunda.
“Move away from militarism – invest in life,” read other signs that protesters waved overhead. Others read “Protect immigrants and asylum seekers” and “Ceasefire”.
A demonstrator places children's shoes on the ground during a protest in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol to raise awareness of the child victims of Israel's bombing of Gaza
Anti-war activists take over the Rotunda at the U.S. Capitol to demonstrate against hostilities in Gaza, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023 in Washington
Protesters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday and called for a ceasefire in Gaza, while Capitol police arrested about 60 people
The anti-Israel protesters called on Congress to scrap “Biden's deadly $106 billion Senate deal” – the huge relief package in the works in the upper house
The demonstration came as the House of Representatives has gone home for the holidays and the Senate remains in session – with limited attendance – as leaders from both sides try to reach agreement on a package that would provide funding for Ukraine and Israel in exchange for new border security provides provisions.
Biden faces renewed pressure from the progressive left to call for a ceasefire as Palestinian casualties mount in the war in Gaza.
After many weeks of steadfast support for Israel's offensive, the White House only recently began distancing itself from the military campaign.
The White House said Monday it had spoken to the Israeli government about the killing of two women seeking refuge in a Catholic church in the Gaza Strip, saying a better conflict resolution was needed to protect civilians and humanitarian workers.
One idea currently being considered is to allow Homeland Security officials to block migrants from seeking asylum at the southern border if the total number of border crossings in a day exceeds 5,000.
Border officials are overwhelmed after more than 10,000 illegal immigrants reportedly entered the U.S. through the southern border in a single day last week.
Biden's supplemental request included $61 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $9 billion for humanitarian assistance, $11 billion for border and migration issues and $2 billion for the Indo-Pacific region .
Only nine Republicans need to vote for the package to get it through the Senate if all Democrats vote for it, although Democratic critics are expected. The house is a different ball game.
Hardliners on both sides of the House are expected to oppose the deal: Conservative Republicans will say it falls short of HR 2, their party's internal immigration bill, and that they generally oppose aid to Ukraine. Progressive Democrats will oppose border restrictions.
“Move away from militarism – invest in life,” read other signs that protesters waved overhead. Others read “Protect immigrants and asylum seekers” and “Ceasefire”.
Protesters demonstrate for a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, DC on Tuesday, December 19
Biden faces renewed pressure from the progressive left to call for a ceasefire as Palestinian casualties mount in the Gaza war
Earlier this week, CBS reported that the White House was open to creating a Title 42 border agency to expel migrants without asylum screening and expand the detention and deportation of immigrants in exchange for foreign aid.
Another is to detain people seeking asylum at the border, including families with children, and negotiators have been looking for ways to quickly deport migrants who have been here for less than two years and have not applied for asylum.
No major immigration reform has been enacted since 1986 with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.