Representative Gregory W. Meeks of New York, the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, who had publicly opposed the transfer by citing Israel's tactics during its campaign in Gaza, has lifted his hold on the deal, one of the largest U.S. arms sales to Israel in years.
Mr. Meeks said that the sale would take years to deliver and that he supported the Biden administration's plans to hold up the sale of other munitions. He urged the administration to continue pushing Israel to make significant improvements on humanitarian efforts and limiting civilian casualties.
Senator Benjamin L. Cardin, Democrat of Maryland and the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, also agreed to allow the deal to go forward, marking the end of the informal consultation process with Congress before the formal notification.
The change in Congress sign-off on arms sales to Israel reflects mounting concern in the U.S. about Israel's conduct during the war against Hamas. Democrats hinted at using their leverage to demand Israel to change tactics.
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