US Bill to Restrict Arms to Israel Gains Growing Support in Congress

When Representative Delia Ramirez first introduced the Block the Bombs Act to impose a partial arms embargo on U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, only 21 Democratic lawmakers signed on. A year later, the legislative proposal has 73 co-sponsors—a number supporters of Palestinian rights call 'historic' progress.

'While some call this bill extreme, it has actually become quite popular,' Ramirez said at a Capitol Hill press conference on June 4. With 73 supporters, the bill has cracked the nearly unanimous bipartisan support Israel has enjoyed in Congress for decades. Still, that number falls short of a majority in the 435-member House.

Margaret DeReus, executive director of the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU), said it is important to 'acknowledge the progress' of the bill, emphasizing that lawmakers should side with the majority of voters who reject unconditional aid to Israel. 'We are starting from a very low point, where Congress lacked the courage to do the right thing. This is a real improvement. Of course, there is still a long way to go,' she said.

Though Congress remains largely pro-Israel, activists are urging lawmakers to better reflect shifting U.S. public opinion. Multiple polls show support for Israel declining rapidly. According to a recent survey by the Institute for Global Affairs, only 16% of respondents agreed the U.S. should continue providing weapons to Israel without new restrictions.

At the press conference, Ramirez stressed the need to bring the bill to a House vote, citing Israel's military campaigns across the Middle East. So far, the bill has been blocked by House Republican leadership. She criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump for their roles in the war with Iran, Israel's invasion of Lebanon, and the rising death toll in Gaza.

Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Palestinian American, emphasized that questioning Washington's backing of Israel is no longer taboo. 'Americans want us to invest at home. They want us to not invest in death, destruction, and bombs. They want us to invest in clean water, housing, child care, and more,' she said. Tlaib argued that growing support for the bill comes from ordinary citizens who have attended town halls and asked why the U.S. cuts domestic food benefits while starving Gaza.

The Block the Bombs Act would prohibit transferring to Israel certain heavy bombs and artillery shells—weapons used in the deadliest attacks during Israel's genocidal war in Gaza. Initially backed only by progressive lawmakers and Israel critics, the bill has attracted some surprising co-sponsors, including Valerie Foushee, who was once supported by the Israel lobbying group AIPAC, and Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican who recently lost a primary election.

The Congressional Progressive Caucus has also endorsed the bill. Caucus Chair Greg Casar said growing support shows that speaking out, marching, and contacting lawmakers can create change. 'The idea behind the Block the Bombs Act is simple: The U.S. should not provide bombs we know will be used to prolong one of the worst disasters of our lifetime,' he said.

Lawmakers stressed that despite a ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza persists, with Israel still restricting humanitarian aid. 'Clearly, it is not a partisan issue—we should prioritize having enough food and humanitarian aid over bombs,' said Representative Lateefah Simon.

The bill's anniversary comes amid other legislative proposals questioning the U.S.-Israel relationship gaining traction. On June 3, the House passed a resolution limiting President Trump's authority to strike Iran without congressional approval. Beth Miller, political director of the advocacy group Jewish Voice for Peace Action, said increased support for the bill is due to activism by the Palestinian rights movement in the U.S. However, she noted the number of co-sponsors remains 'terribly low' and it is time for all of Congress to act.