Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza interrupted US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
Numerous people stood in the crowd and repeatedly yelled “Ceasefire now!”
Secretary Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin are testifying about the White House’s $106bn (£87.4bn) national security funding request.
It includes $14.3bn to support Israel’s military efforts against Hamas.
Standing up one by one, protesters waited for Mr Blinken to begin his testimony before shouting over him again. The Secretary of State paused and lawmakers were forced to suspend the hearing several times.
Capitol Police quickly escorted the demonstrators from the room when they began shouting. Police said 12 people had been arrested for illegally protesting inside the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Some of those who interrupted the proceedings were affiliated with the anti-war group CODEPINK, which has also called for the US to stop sending weapons to Ukraine.
Many wore pink and held signs reading “No to the siege of Gaza”, as they called for the US to stop sending funds to Israel.
CODEPINK confirmed that some of its members were arrested. The group said that some had painted their hands red “to symbolise blood”.
Mr Blinken acknowledged the protesters at the end of his statement and “the passions expressed in this room”.
“All of us are committed to the protection of civilian life. All of us know the suffering that is taking place as we speak, all of us are determined to see it end,” he said.
He added, however, that it was imperative that the US stand with its allies.__BBC
