S.Res.68 - A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States shall not deploy United States military assets or personnel to Gaza for purposes of "taking over" Gaza

S.Res.68 was introduced on 10 February 2025 by Senator Tim Kaine. It is currently pending before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and has 13 co-sponsors on a partyline basis.

Related legislation: None

Bill Summary: S.Res.68 expresses a non-binding sense of the Senate that the U.S. should not deploy forces to Gaza for purposes of taking over the Strip.

Context: On 4 February 2025 President Trump met with Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House and said that the U.S. would be “taking ownership of” the Gaza Strip, a comment he has reinforced on several occasions since while also indicating he supports the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

American Values Analysis: The right to live in dignity and with peace are foundational American values deeply rooted in American culture and reflected in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, while recognition of the right to self-determination is a treaty obligation under the UN Charter, which the United States Senate ratified in 1945. As such, this Resolution accords with American values through its express endorsement that “the Palestinian people have the right to self-determination and their own independent state, and to live with dignity and in peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.” 

American Interest Analysis: The U.S. is already directly implicated in war crimes in Gaza due to its provision of the arms Israel has used to carry out these acts. This Resolution reflects multiple American interests, including a refusal to further associate the United States with Israel’s violations of international law in Gaza, a desire to avoid embroiling the U.S. in further destructive and harmful conflicts in the Middle East, and a recognition of the national security risks created by doing so.

As written, this Resolution would leave the door open to the involvement of U.S. forces in Gaza as part of an international peacekeeping mission, including under future U.N. Security Council Resolutions, should such be advanced. 

A New Policy’s Recommendation: SUPPORT

A New Policy supports S.Res.68 because it conforms with U.S. values and interests by opposing the deployment of U.S. military forces or assets to facilitate the occupation or ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. A New Policy believes this Resolution could be strengthened by being re-introduced as a binding resolution (a Senate Bill), possibly under the War Powers Act, seeking to proscribe the described potential deployment of U.S. forces to Gaza on a statutory basis.

For more information please contact: Josh Paul, (202) 770-0055, info@anewpolicy.org