The failed Senate vote was a setback for the bill, which aims to punish the court for its decision to prosecute top Israeli officials for war crimes based on the military offensive in Gaza.

European officials have warned that the bill, prompted by an arrest warrant for Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, would irreparably harm the institution.

The 125-member ICC is a permanent court that can prosecute individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression against the territory of member states or by their nationals. The United States, China, Russia and Israel are not members.

Senate Democrats on Tuesday voted to filibuster a GOP-led bill to sanction International Criminal Court officials.

THE HAGUE - The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken measures to shield staff from possible US sanctions, paying salaries three months in advance, as it braces for financial restrictions that could cripple the war crimes tribunal, two sources said on Jan 24.

U.S. Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a Republican-led effort to sanction the International Criminal Court in protest of its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over Israel's campaign in Gaza.

Senate Democrats blocked a bill sanctioning the International Criminal Court on Tuesday after Republicans rejected changes addressing their concerns. Why it matters: The vote is a show of unity from Senate Democrats and is their first concrete action since President Trump's inauguration to thwart the GOP agenda.

The Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act would have inflicted visa bans and financial restrictions on ICC-affiliated officials.

The Senate on Tuesday failed to advance a House-passed bill to sanction International Criminal Court officials for the court’s arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over military actions in the Gaza Strip.