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.

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.

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.

The bill was a Republican-led effort to sanction the International Criminal Court in protest of its arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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.

Senate Democrats revolted on Tuesday following the Trump administration’s sweeping freeze on federal aid by tanking a vote to sanction the International Criminal Court and promising there might be similar moves to come if the White House does not change its tune in short order.