Rand Paul Breaks With Republicans Over Biden's Pick for Israel Ambassador

Senator Rand Paul broke from his fellow Republicans to advance President Joe Biden's Israel ambassador nominee on Wednesday.

Senate Democrats are moving quickly to advance Jack Lew's nomination amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Hamas on October 7 launched thousands of missiles at Israel from Gaza, invading by land, air and sea. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country was "at war" and vowed to "demolish Hamas" following the attack. Israel has carried out its heaviest-ever bombardment of the Gaza Strip and has cut off supplies of food, fuel, electricity and medicine to Gaza.

The Biden administration has stood by Israel, arguing it has the right to defend itself and has requested Congress to pass humanitarian and military for Israel. However, the U.S. still remains without an ambassador to Israel, who would lead diplomacy with the nation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted to advance Lew's nomination Wednesday afternoon despite concerns from Republicans about his record on Iran. The vote was largely on party lines, with Paul, a Kentucky Republican, being the only Republican to vote alongside Democrats in favor of Lew, according to a report from Reuters.

Paul explained why he voted to advance Lew in a statement to Newsweek, offering praise for Biden's pick.

"After meeting personally with Jack Lew, I found him to be a thoughtful individual who will strive to do his best to represent the United States in Israel," Paul said.

Paul added that he believes it is important that the U.S. has an ambassador to Israel amid the current conflict.

During a committee hearing earlier in October, Lew faced tough questions from Senate Republicans on the Foreign Relations Committee, with some raising concerns about his ability to confront Iran.

Republicans have voiced concerns about Lew's support of the Iran nuclear deal, known formally as the JCPOA, which provided Iran with sanctions relief in exchange for the country reversing progress on its nuclear program, as well as his defense of the Obama Administration's decision not to veto a United Nations Security Council resolution that demanded a halt to all Israeli settlement construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

When the Senate votes on whether to confirm his nomination, he will need only 51 votes, and Democrats currently hold a 51-49 seat advantage. Vice President Kamala Harris would serve as the tiebreaker should any Democrat defect from the vote.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Ben Cardin, of Maryland, told CNN he hopes a floor vote on his nomination will be held "quickly."

Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican who serves on the committee, released a statement saying he would not vote to confirm Lew after reviewing his qualifications, pointing to "his history of misleading and lying to Members of Congress."

"America's next ambassador to Israel must stand unequivocally with our strongest Middle East ally in the wake of barbaric attacks by Iranian-backed Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists. The United States must be represented by a person of utmost integrity, sound judgment, and a track record of excellence," he wrote in a statement.

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