[STATEMENT] Biden’s commitment to halt military aid if Israel invades Rafah is welcome step

Plus, how to safeguard our nation's core democratic values Problems viewing this email? [View it in your browser]( [Center for American Progress]( InProgress from the Center for American Progress Biden’s commitment to halt offensive military aid if Israel invades Rafah is welcome step On Wednesday, May 8, President Joe Biden announced that he would halt the transfer of offensive weapons to Israel if the country proceeds with an invasion of Rafah. In response, [Patrick Gaspard]( president and CEO of the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement: President Biden has just announced a monumental and welcome shift in U.S. policy on the conflict in Gaza. He set a red line that the United States would not support an Israeli invasion in Rafah, and he is holding to it. Rather than further damage Israel’s relationship with the United States, [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu must change course to commence a ceasefire that finally prioritizes the release of hostages over continuing a campaign of senseless violence. This move is about holding Israel to the same standards as any other ally and protecting civilians in Gaza from further bloodshed. It’s time for a ceasefire that begins the process of achieving Palestinian independence and long-term security for Israel and the region. [Statement from May 8, 2024]( Spread the word [tweet reading: The monumental shift as ⁦⁦ @POTUS ⁩ Biden moves to halt military aid if Israel assaults Rafah is welcome step. Netanyahu must change course towards a ceasefire that finally prioritizes the release of hostages over continuing a campaign of violence]( [Share This]( Congress must act to strengthen arms transfer oversight [Image of the U.S. Capitol dome]( Photo: Getty Images In February 2023, the Biden administration released [National Security Memorandum 18]( otherwise known as the Conventional Arms Transfer (CAT) policy. More than a year later, however, the administration’s application of the principles outlined in the CAT has been inconsistent. Here’s what you need to know: - The CAT policy outlines the administration’s priorities for weapons transfers: to work with allies and partners to better protect human rights, to bolster international security, and to strengthen partnerships. - The United States has transferred billions of dollars of weapons in order to strengthen the defense of democratic partners and to support Ukraine in its defense against Russian aggression. - The United States has also, however, transferred weapons to countries—such as Egypt, Israel, and India—with documented evidence of ongoing human rights abuse. - To better safeguard the principles outlined in the CAT policy, Congress should pass legislation that strengthens rights protections in U.S. security assistance. Read more in a [new column]( from CAP that details actions the executive and legislative branches should take in order to safeguard our nation’s core democratic values. [Get more national security updatEs]( New Affordable Care Act rule broadens health care protections for marginalized communities [People walk past a New York City hospital covered in Pride colors]( Photo: Getty Images Last month, the Biden administration took further action to improve [health care access]( for all Americans. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finalized a landmark rule strengthening and codifying nondiscrimination protections for marginalized communities—including but not limited to LGBTQI+ people, disabled people, pregnant people, and immigrants—under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act. Now, Americans covered by federally funded health insurance who seek services from federally funded health care centers or visit providers who accept Medicare (which include nearly all hospitals and nonpediatric physicians in America) will be protected from discriminatory roadblocks that prevent access to the care that they need. These new protections also establish transparency around available language assistance services and ban discriminatory use of artificial intelligence and algorithms in determining patient care and treatment. At a time when access to medical care and bodily autonomy are under attack, these measures are a huge win for patients seeking health care and indicate an even more substantial move toward health equity across the country. [Learn More]( ICYMI: Citizens United overreach virtual discussion This week, following the release of a new Center for American Progress [report]( by [Tom Moore]( and [Alex Thornton]( Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI); the Hon. Shana M. Broussard, commissioner of the Federal Election Commission; Sarah Haan, professor of law at Washington and Lee University School of Law; and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined CAP for a discussion on Citizens United overreach. The conversation and report explore how the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision gave corporations—not their boards—the authority to spend in candidate elections, yet those boards immediately started spending anyway, improperly handing U.S. citizens’ constitutional rights over to large shareholders and foreign nationals. [Watch the Recording]( Federal investments in action [Biden Administration Investment Tracker]( Explore the [Biden Administration Investment Tracker]( to see the impacts of the administration’s legislation—including new jobs, better infrastructure, and more. [Explore the Tracker]( [Stay Up to Date with the Latest Projects]( Follow us on [Follow us on Twitter]( [Follow us on Facebook]( [Follow us on YouTube]( [Follow us on Instagram]( [Support CAP]( [Manage Email Preferences or Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( [Center for American Progress]( Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 [supporter]