Congresswoman Tenney Demands Special Counsel Investigate Biden’s Decision to Delay Aid to Israel

Washington, DC—Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General ​​Merrick Garland demanding he appoint a special counsel to investigate President Biden for freezing the delivery of 1,800 2000-lb bombs and 1,700 500-lb bombs to Israel that were appropriated for by Congress.

H.R. 8034, the Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, which was signed into law as a part of a larger emergency aid package, appropriated funds in support of Israel’s ongoing military operations against Hamas. By withholding the delivery of the aid allocated in this package, President Biden violated the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA) and the subsequent Supreme Court case law. The ICA (2 U.S.C. 681-688) outlines clear requirements for any deferral of budget authorities by the President, and the Biden administration has ignored these requirements. 

Tenney called for a special counsel to be appointed immediately to investigate and prosecute any wrongdoing and demanded Attorney General Garland advise his intentions by May 22, 2024.

“The law is clear: the President cannot unilaterally withhold aid appropriated by Congress,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “By failing to promptly deliver this aid, not only has the President put our greatest ally in the Middle East at risk, but he has also failed to follow the ICA and uphold the principles of separation of powers outlined by the Constitution. Attorney General Merrick Garland must immediately appoint a special counsel to investigate President Biden for violating the law!”

Complete text of the letter can be found here. 

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