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GOP Sens. Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin GrahamHouse GOP probe into FBI, DOJ comes to an end Graham: Syrian Kurds aligning with Assad would be 'major disaster' Graham to Pelosi: 'No Wall Money, No Deal' MORE (S.C.) and Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzO'Rourke rips Trump's border wall in video: 'A symbol of division' O'Rourke's chances against Trump are ‘overstated,’ says progressive columnist Bloomberg ready to spend at least 0M if he runs for White House in 2020 MORE (Texas) introduced legislation on Thursday that would cut off funding to the United Nations over a recent resolution denouncing Israeli settlements.
The bill would stop the flow of funds until the president confirms the repeal of a U.N. Security Council resolution that called Israel's expansion into Palestinian territories a violation of international law.
Cruz said President Obama "betrayed decades of robust bipartisan American support for Israel" by having his administration abstain from voting on the resolution rather than vetoing it.
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"Congress must hold the U.N. accountable and use our leverage as its largest contributor to push for the repeal of this resolution, making it clear to the world that Congress stands unequivocally against efforts to undermine Israel," he added.
Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry
John Forbes KerryWHIP LIST: Who’s in and out in the 2020 race O'Rourke doubles support in CNN poll of Dem presidential race Overnight Energy — Sponsored by the National Biodiesel Board — Court blocks Atlantic coast pipeline | Kerry calls Trump climate actions 'profoundly dangerous' | EPA asked to investigate Pruitt Fox News hits MORE faced bipartisan backlash over the resolution late last year, with Republicans and Democratic lawmakers publicly urging them ahead of the vote to use the U.S.'s veto authority to kill the resolution.
John Forbes KerryWHIP LIST: Who’s in and out in the 2020 race O'Rourke doubles support in CNN poll of Dem presidential race Overnight Energy — Sponsored by the National Biodiesel Board — Court blocks Atlantic coast pipeline | Kerry calls Trump climate actions 'profoundly dangerous' | EPA asked to investigate Pruitt Fox News hits MORE faced bipartisan backlash over the resolution late last year, with Republicans and Democratic lawmakers publicly urging them ahead of the vote to use the U.S.'s veto authority to kill the resolution. Graham, who oversees funding for the State Department and foreign operations, called the vote "a slap" against the Middle East ally.
"I begged the U.N. months before, don't put me in this box. This was John Kerry and Obama taking a slap at Israel," Graham said.
The House passed a resolution on a 342-80 vote last week denouncing the Security Council vote. A majority of Democrats, 109, voted for the resolution, while 76 voted against it, and four voted "present."
The Senate has introduced its own resolution, which is backed by 68 senators, though it hasn't yet come up for a vote.
