Growing Bipartisan Momentum Builds for US Legislation to Halt Arms Exports to Israel

Growing Bipartisan Momentum Builds for US Legislation to Halt Arms Exports to Israel

When Congresswoman Delia Ramirez introduced the Block the Bombs Act to impose restrictions on U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, just 21 Democratic lawmakers initially backed the measure. That was June 2025. One year later, the bill now has 73 co-sponsors—a development Palestinian rights advocates describe as “historic” progress.

“While some thought that the bill was extreme, it has, in fact, become pretty mainstream,” Ramirez said at a Capitol Hill news conference on Thursday.

With 73 members supporting the measure to restrict arms sales to Israel, the bill represents a significant shift away from the nearly unanimous bipartisan backing Israel has traditionally received in Congress.

The number still falls short of a majority in the 435-member House of Representatives.

Margaret DeReus, executive director of the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), emphasized the importance of “marking the progress” on the legislation, noting that more lawmakers should reflect what she says is majority public opinion against unconditional aid to Israel.

“Coming from such a deficit—where Congress has been so lacking in courage to do what’s right—this is actually a huge improvement,” DeReus told Al Jazeera.

“There’s still obviously a long, long road ahead.”

Though Congress remains largely supportive of Israel, advocates argue lawmakers should reflect shifting U.S. public sentiment. Multiple polls indicate declining support for Israel.

A recent Institute for Global Affairs survey found only 16 percent of respondents agreed that the U.S. “should keep supplying Israel with weapons without new restrictions.”

Ramirez highlighted the need to bring the bill to a House floor vote, citing Israeli military actions across the Middle East. So far, House Republican leadership has blocked the measure.

Ramirez also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump for their roles in the war in Iran, Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, and the mounting death toll in Gaza, where Israel continues deadly attacks despite a “ceasefire.”

“Trump and Netanyahu will keep expanding the wars so they can consolidate power, remain in office, and profit from our pain,” Ramirez said.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib emphasized that questioning U.S. support for Israel is no longer politically taboo, pointing to increased public awareness of Israeli abuses.

“Americans want us to invest here at home. They don’t want us investing in death and destruction and bombs. They want clean water, housing, childcare—basic needs for families,” Tlaib told reporters. “So many can’t afford doctor visits, yet we’ll fund Israel’s government to bomb civilians.”

Tlaib credited ordinary citizens for the bill’s growing support, stating that change comes from the people, not Congress.

“People are showing up at town halls asking, ‘Why are you cutting SNAP while starving Gaza?'” Tlaib said. “They’re saying, ‘Why are we funding genocide but not healthcare at home?'”

Inside the bill

The Block the Bombs Act would prohibit transfers of specific heavy bombs and artillery ammunition—weapons used in some of the deadliest attacks during Israel’s campaign in Gaza.

Originally backed by progressive critics of Israel, the bill has attracted unlikely supporters as public outrage over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the region has intensified.

Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, elected in 2022 with pro-Israel group support including AIPAC, became a co-sponsor. “We cannot continue providing the Israeli government with weapons when they’re not being used in accordance with international law to protect civilians in Gaza,” she said in August 2025.

In May, AIPAC congratulated Congressman Christian Menefee for defeating colleague Al Green in a primary after redistricting. Menefee became the latest co-sponsor.

Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, who lost his primary to a Trump and pro-Israel-backed challenger, also joined the measure, making it bipartisan. “Israel has used American-supplied munitions to kill tens of thousands of innocent civilians,” Massie said. “America is morally obligated to end support for Israel’s devastation of Gaza.”

Congress shifts

The Congressional Progressive Caucus has endorsed the bill. Its chair, Greg Casar, said growing support shows grassroots organizing can drive change.

“The idea behind the Block the Bombs Act is simple: The United States should not supply bombs we know will be used in one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our lifetimes,” Casar said.

Lawmakers noted that despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists, with Israel still restricting aid.

Congresswoman Lateefah Simon said supporting the bill should transcend partisanship.

“We should be clear—not red or blue, but as Americans—we should put full bellies and humanitarian aid over bombs, especially for hundreds of thousands of children, women, and elderly who are starving and living in squalor,” Simon said. “We’re funding that crisis. I only have one sentence left to say: Block the bombs.”

The bill’s anniversary coincides with other measures questioning U.S.-Israel ties gaining momentum. On Wednesday, the House passed a resolution limiting Trump’s authority to attack Iran without congressional approval—a rebuke to the U.S.-Israel war effort.

Forty of 100 senators, including most Democrats, voted in April to block military bulldozer transfers to Israel.

Beth Miller, political director at Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Action, attributed growing support to Palestinian rights activism.

However, she noted the co-sponsor count remains “horrifically low.” “It’s a sign of how far we have to go that most Congress members still want to send bombs to a country committing genocide,” Miller said.

“That’s why we’ll continue speaking out. It’s time for all of Congress to act. It’s time to block the bombs.”

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